Rugby marathon mum runs for diabetic son - The Rugby Observer

Rugby marathon mum runs for diabetic son

Rugby Editorial 1st Oct, 2015 Updated: 27th Oct, 2016   0

A MUM-of-three from Rugby will join thousands on a Birmingham half-marathon to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK – and to support her teenage son who is struggling with the condition.

Sarah-Jane Cooke, 31, will run for Team Diabetes UK in the Great Birmingham Run in October in the name of son Jordan, who at 14 is finding it difficult to live with diabetes.

The keen runner hopes to inspire people to sponsor her and help reach her £350 target by sharing her family’s story.

She said the impact of her son’s diagnosis 11 years ago was shocking, despite having a number of people in her family with Type 2 diabetes.




She said: “Jordan was diagnosed 11 years ago with Type 1 diabetes. It was a shock when it happened, but we managed to keep his condition under control in the early years with very few hospital trips.

“However over the last year Jordan has found it really difficult to cope. He basically hates his diabetes and at school tries to pretend he does not have it and this has caused a few health issues and trips to hospital.


“As a typical teenager he does not want to be different and we are trying hard to support him to come to terms with his diabetes as he grows up.”

Ellen Jurczak, Regional Fundraiser for West Midlands, said: “Running the Great Birmingham Run is a major achievement for anyone and requires a large amount of time and commitment. We are really grateful for Sarah-Jane’s fundraising efforts, and wish her the very best of luck.

“Diabetes is a serious life-long health condition that affects 3.9million people in the UK. Diabetes, if not properly managed, can lead to serious complications such as blindness, kidney failure and amputation.

“The funds raised by Sarah-Jane will help us to support people living with diabetes and to raise awareness among those who have not yet been diagnosed.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/sarah-cooke21 to sponsor Sarah-Jane. Visit www.greatrun.org/great-birmingham-run for more information on the half-marathon, or www.diabetes.org.uk to represent Team Diabetes UK.

Subscribe

Receive a weekly update to your inbox by signing up to our weekly newsletter.

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.

Public Notices

View and download all of the public notices in the Rugby Observer.

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts.