Young Up Holland diabetes suffer becomes charity ambassador to help find a cure for condition

Dec 27 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Skelmersdale Advertiser

A YOUNG diabetes sufferer has become a charity youth ambassador in a bid to help raise awareness of the condition.

Matthew Rooney, from Up Holland, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was just four.

Now the Year 5 pupil, who has to inject himself with insulin four times a day, is helping support juvenile diabetes charity JDRF, which funds research to develop a cure for the condition.

The 10-year-old has already given a presentation to his class and raised over £500 for the charity through a school non-uniform day and a bring-and-buy coffee evening with his grandma Stella.

Mum Helen told the Advertiser: “Matthew is really good at looking after himself but he does find it frustrating and was really determined to do something to help find a cure.

“He got involved with JDRF, which is the main charity focused on type 1 diabetes and they invited him to become a youth ambassador. He has been down to London to learn more about the charity and will be involved with the regional and national events they put on and also encouraged to run his own events locally.

“He was invited to do a presentation at his school, St Teresa’s, which was brilliant because while a lot of his friends know about his condition now all the school know about the warning signs too. The next day the school organised for children to come in wearing blue and make a donation for World Diabetes Day which was really good.”

Through the school event and the coffee mornings Matthew and his grandma raised £545.16 which was doubled through the Big Give making a total donation of £1090.32. Matthew presented a cheque to the JDRF mascot Rufus on December 12.

Helen said: “I’m really proud of Matthew for taking it upon himself to get involved and he’s already thinking about what he can do next.”