A MUM aims to raise awareness of a life-threatening condition after her daughter was diagnosed at the age of three.

Ruby Harvey, now 11, was diagnosed with type one diabetes and mum Lorette Phelps said their lives changed completely.

She told the Leader: "It's really hard, I didn't realise how hard until now. I knew they injected themselves with insulin but I thought it was just that. It's actually life threatening, if they get unwell like a cold or flu they have got to be really careful.

"Sometimes you can't manage it at home and have to go to hospital. I have to check through the night and keep her off school if necessary. She's had a cold recently and been off school and her levels have been up and down.

"It's a lot of planning, we have to take a lot of supplies with us whenever we go out.

"With her growing its difficult to get on top of the levels because of her hormones."

Lorette said she has asked a local martial artist for help in raising funds for the JDRF charity and raise awareness of the condition.

Danny Dixon, 26, offered to complete 26 miles thorughout the month of April.

He told the Leader: "It's a cause that I see not a lot of people raising money for and I do a lot of charity work and wanted to help where needed it the most this time round.

"Type one diabetes definitely needs more help and attention and I will always help where I can. It’s one of the main reasons I chase my own dream to be a professional athlete so I have more of a voice and a bigger platform of audience to help young people like Ruby and the people in need.

"Nothing is more powerful than when the people all work together to help. So I’m asking anyone who can, to chuck in as little as they have spare or to even take part in charity work themselves.

"Let’s beat them all together, helping one person might not change the whole world, but it will change the world for one person. I will continue to help Ruby as much as I can. People like her are real motivation, the real fighters."

The amateur Welsh martial artist has already almost completed his 26 mile goal.

Lorette added: "I was overwhelmed, especially when he's sending me updates of how many miles he's done.

"He wants to become a professional so has to do so much training. He climbed snowdon and then the next day completed some miles for Ruby. I don't know how he does it.

"He's doing it for all of us. I just can't get over it.

"Ruby went on a school trip recently and I went with her because I look after her. At night time she keeps going hypo and I'm having to wake her up to get her to drink coke and eat sweets and while all the other kids are asleep she's wide awake.

"It really is a lot of planning."