Kentish Express Ashford & District
Son’s diabetes prompts parents to join 10k run
A mum and dad are preparing to run the furthest they have in years in aid of Diabetes UK.
Kay and Ashley Bellwood, both 41, will head a team of 10 in the Givaudan Ashford 10k Run on Sunday, October 11.
The Brabourne Lees couple, who admit they are “no runners”, are taking on the challenge along with colleagues for the charity as their son Maceo, seven, has Type 1 diabetes.
Mrs Bellwood, a nurse educator, said: “We’re not runners at all. The last time I ran this distance was in my teens. It will be no mean feat.
“It has been hard to practise and look after Maceo, too.”
Brabourne Primary School pupil Maceo was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in July 2014 after his parents noticed symptoms such as increased thirst, hunger and trips to the toilet.
It is caused by a non-reversible auto-immune process that kills off the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, mainly occurring in children and young adults. There is no prevention or cure at the moment.
Ashley, a hairdresser at Master Cutters, said: “He has adapted to a life of pricking his own fingers to test his blood glucose nearly every two hours, and injecting himself with individually calculated doses of insulin four to five times a day.”
This is one in a series of fundraising activities that the family have undertaken since Maceo’s diagnosis.
Earlier this year, Kay and Ashley assisted Maceo in a sponsored 22-mile swim in Ashford’s Stour Centre, and raised £1,600 for the charity. Then in July, Ashley had his long locks cut off to raise even more funds.
Kay added: “We have supported Diabetes UK over this last year because of the support they have given our family right from the beginning of our journey with T1 through providing us all with factual information, schools advice, helpline support and providing us with the chance to meet other families like ours.”
To support the family, go to www.justgiving.com/KayBellwood/ The KE Ashford Big Quiz is on Friday, October 16. Here are some test questions to get contestants in the mood.