A four-year-old boy with type 1 diabetes has been given an award for raising awareness of the condition at his nursery.
Freddie Fox from Lymm in Warrington was diagnosed aged just two after he had been experiencing extreme tiredness and thirst.
To help his friends to understand why he needed daily injections, Freddie decided to hold type 1 diabetes awareness sessions at Holly Grange Montessori Nursery during Diabetes Week last June.
Freddie’s work has now been recognised by the charity Diabetes UK, which presented him with the Young Person’s Outstanding Contribution Award.
Speaking to the Warrington Guardian newspaper, Freddie’s mother Linda said: “Freddie’s friends were curious as to why he has insulin injections and extra snacks, so the awareness session allowed the children to understand that these keep Freddie healthy and don’t stop him participating in any activities. They are simply accepting of it.
“It also means staff are more likely to spot signs of the condition should symptoms present in any other children and highlights that type 1 diabetes is a manageable condition at nursery even at such a young age.”
Trudie Walker, managing director of Holly Grange Montessori Nursery, said: “By working closely with Freddie’s mum Linda and getting the correct training for staff to test Freddie’s blood glucose levels and administer his medication, he soon settled into nursery life and is able to take part fully in all activities.
“He is a great example of a child who is still very young dealing with this condition in the best possible way and with the full support of his parents and staff here at the nursery.”
Freddie received his prize at the nursery on Friday 28 April, 2017.
