Sister takes on 10k run in honour of diabetic brother
A MUM-OF-TWO from Heald Green tackled the Great Manchester Run for Diabetes UK in support of her younger brother.
Sam Massey decided to take on the 10k race after her brother Dave was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in April last year.
The PR worker said: “I knew very little about diabetes before my brother was diagnosed with Type 1.
“His diagnosis was completely unexpected, we had a great aunt who had Type 1 but nobody else in the family had it, so even though he had all the classic symptoms, at 30 he seemed too old.”
Type 1 diabetes develops when the insulin-producing cells in the body have been destroyed and the body is unable to produce any insulin.
Sam, who has already raised more than £250, managed to complete the race in one hour and five minutes.
The mum-of-two, who works as an account manager at Altrincham based PR agency jwcpr, has previously ran the race in 2010.
She added: “This time it feels much more significant.
“As a big sister I felt completely helpless when my brother was diagnosed, so decided to do something positive.
“I’m not much of a runner, I’m not even sporty but I felt that 10k was nothing compared to what Dave juggles every day.”
Lara Dobson, Diabetes UK fundraising manager, said: “The Great Manchester Run is one of Europe’s leading 10ks, whether you are an elite runner or a 10k novice.
“We’re really grateful to Sam for joining Team Diabetes UK to help raise vital funds to help people living with diabetes.
“Every penny raised will help us to support the millions of people living with diabetes in the UK so please give generously to back Sam and support her amazing effort.”
You can still support the cause by making a donation online at www. justgiving.com/ SamanthaAnnMassey.