A MOTHER and daughter will be tackling the London Marathon together to raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the type 1 diabetes charity.

Jackie Pollock, 48, from Queen's Park in Bournemouth, has lived with the condition for the past 26 years and is keen to raise awareness of the difference between type 1 and type 2.

She said: "Having type 1 diabetes is an extremely challenging condition, which demands either five injections a day or to be connected to an insulin pump 24 hours a day.

"If neglected, it can easily cause kidney failure, blindness and amputations along with other complications. Type 1 diabetes often occurs in childhood and is an auto-immune disease and not caused by a poor lifestyle.”

Although it can be hereditary, her daughter Zoe, 19, hasn't been diagnosed with the condition. However she is fully aware of the problems of life with diabetes and is keen to support her mum.

Jackie added: "Running a marathon with type 1 is much harder because I have to adjust insulin levels and glucose intake throughout the entire run.

"Exercise has a very strong effect on blood glucose and I am training really hard to run the distance and manage my diabetes at the same time."

Luan Roberts, senior challenge events fundraiser at JDRF, said: “Running the London Marathon is a brilliant way to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes – a serious and complex condition – while helping JDRF fund vital research.”

The Virgin Money London Marathon takes place on Sunday April 24. To sponsor Jackie and Zoe, visit justgiving.com/jackie-pollock2

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Around 29,000 children rely on multiple insulin injections or pump infusions every day just to stay alive.

A child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of five faces up to 19,000 injections and 50,000 finger prick blood tests by the time they are 18. The condition is not linked to lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise.