A BROMSGROVE mum whose daughter has Type 1 Diabetes is running the London Marathon to raise money for a charity trying to find a breakthrough cure.
Anne-Louise Pridden will take on the 26.2mile course on April 27 for Breakthrough T1D.
Her daughter, Caitlin, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at just nine years old after contracting Covid in 2020.
After spending a week in hospital following her daughter’s diagnosis, they met the Breakthrough T1D bear Rufus who helped to give them support and introduced them to the charity.
There has been a huge increase in the number of children being left Type 1 diabetic after contracting Covid and Caitlin was devastated at potentially not being able to compete in her triathlons with her brother and friends.
Anne-Louise said: “I ran my first Marathon in 2023 in London to put all my anger, sadness and efforts into finding a cure to keep doing something positive and raise awareness.
“This will be my last marathon because of time and being a carer for Caitlin.
“We now want to share our story to give other families hope, encouragement and the most important message that we understand just what life is like and we all have to move forward.”
After hard work and determination, Caitlin is now a National Triathlete for the Midlands Academy Triathlon team. She runs for Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletics Club, swims at Worcester swimming club and cycles for Wyre Forest Cycle Club. She has also become a Breakthrough T1D Ambassador.
There are a lot of people to thank for Caitlin’s care, her assistance dog Molly being especially important, providing love and care when her bloods have been too high or too low.
Caitlin has a parent-managed Instagram account @caitlin_athletic_diabetic for promoting Type 1 in sport.
Visit 2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/anne-louise-pridden to donate.
