A CHRISTCHURCH schoolgirl spoke to MPs at Westminster about living with diabetes during a special Houses of Parliament event.

Sarah Warren, 13, was chosen to attend Type 1 Parliament by JDRF – the global type 1 diabetes charity.

She was one of 60 adults and children who live with the condition that was selected from across the country to represent their constituencies.

Sarah met with Christchurch MP, Chris Chope, along with other MPs on the day to explain the impact the condition has on people’s lives. She said: “Meeting Christopher Chope in Parliament was amazing and it was good to be able to talk to different MPs about the effects of the condition I’m living with. I hope that funding will be increased. I will remember the day forever.”

Sarah, who was diagnosed with the condition in May 2011, added: “Our day to Parliament was a really great experience and I was very proud to be able to try and make a difference for all Type 1 Diabetics in the UK.

“My diagnosis was definitely a life changing experience.

“Since then, I have done 5,500 blood tests and 3,678 insulin injections.

“My biggest challenge was the two day sponsored silence that my friend and I did to raise money for JDRF.

“It is really important that people are aware of the symptoms of Type 1, and the impact it has on life.”

Exact cause unclear

THE exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is unclear, but it is not linked to lifestyle or diet. A child diagnosed with it at the age of five faces up to 19,000 insulin injections and 50,000 finger prick tests by the time they are 18. The condition affects 400,000 people in the UK – equivalent to more than 600 people in every constituency – and incidence is growing rapidly, particularly in those under five years old.