Helen and Stephen Farrow from Widnes, are taking on this year’s Simplyhealth Great Manchester Run to raise money for Diabetes UK.

The husband and wife team, will be taking part in the 10K race in memory their son, Simon, who passed away in January 2018 as a result of undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes.

Simon, 27, had been unwell with the flu, when he collapsed at home and was rushed to hospital. He had developed diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially fatal condition caused by consistently high blood glucose levels.

Helen, a college manager said: “Simon was a healthy young man, he kept fit and ate a balanced diet. He had lost weight but he had been exercising more and trying to lose some weight.

"He had been unwell for a few days but had all the symptoms of the flu, so he was treating himself for that, with lots of rest and fluids.

Runcorn and Widnes World: Helen and Stephen's son Simon

“We didn’t know what the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes were, but some of them were masked by Simon being unwell.”

Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the pancreas cannot produce insulin which is needed to help our bodies get energy from the food we eat.

The most common symptoms of Type 1 diabetes also known as the 4Ts are:

Toilet - Going to the toilet a lot.

Thirsty - Being really thirsty and not being able to quench the thirst.

Tired - Feeling more tired than usual.

Thinner - Losing weight or looking thinner than usual.

Helen and Stephen, will be running alongside close family members and friends. They’ve been training hard for the event and hope that their efforts will support other people with diabetes.

Stephen, a construction manager added: “We hope that by supporting Diabetes UK and raising awareness of the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, we can prevent other families going through what we have.”

Maria Whittaker, Diabetes UK Regional Fundraiser said: “Our much-needed work wouldn’t be possible without the determination and generosity of our incredible fundraisers.

“We are extremely grateful to Helen and Stephen for their hard work raising awareness of diabetes and support our work to create a world where diabetes can do no harm. The money raised will help fund ground-breaking research, care services and campaigns that can change the lives of those living with diabetes.”

To sponsor Helen and Stephen please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Helen-Farrow4

Diabetes UK is the official charity partner of the Simplyhealth Great Run Series 2019, including the Great Manchester Run.