A WOMAN who risked brain damage after been diagnosed with type-one diabetes has raised hundreds of pounds for the charity that has supported her.

Sarah Ann Mather from Widnes found out she had the condition - where the immune system attacks the insulin cells in the pancreas - during an examination in 2010.

When diagnosed, Sarah was in a coma for four days and was told she could have come out blind, with major organ failure or brain damage but thankfully was ok.

Since diagnosis, she has been actively involved with Diabetes UK as both a young person on events and as a volunteer on family weekends and children's holidays.

Her efforts over the last 10 years have raised £200 for Diabetes UK. She aims to beat this target next year.

She has completed three family weekends across the country for children and families affected by type 1 diabetes.

This involves working with children and young people who have diabetes, their siblings and their parents/carers and providing support and encouragement through fun/exciting activities.

She runs a blog on Facebook called The Art of Diabetic Life to help raise awareness of living with the condition.

A one million step challenge between July and September helped raise funds for Diabetes UK.

Sarah told Runcorn & Widnes World: "This is my way of giving back to the charity.

"I have been volunteering for Diabetes UK in fundraising and as a children's volunteer on Type 1 Events since 2014 and attending the events since 2011 and they have changed my life and given me and many others much more confidence in managing my diabetes, learning from others and working with a variety of professionals.

"I have been on an insulin pump since 2013 and it has really improved my confidence and control in managing my diabetes.

"Similarly, my Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system has increased my confidence with it."

Sarah, a support worker in Riverside College for students with learning difficulties, qualified as a primary teacher two years ago and is also an MA student at Liverpool Hope University.

On her determination to get on life with the condition, she continued: "I believe that type 1 diabetes shouldn't hold anyone back and I firmly believe that you can achieve your dreams with the condition.

"My aim is to keep volunteering with diabetes charities, raise awareness and support others living with diabetes."