A MUM will walk 100 miles and much more in support of her daughter who almost slipped into a coma before being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, aged 16-years-old.

Karen Morris, from Denbigh whose daughter, Sioned, now 22, has the lifelong condition, is taking on the '1 Million Step Challenge' to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK Cymru, the charity for people living with diabetes in Wales and their families.

Ms Morris, who began her mission on July 1, will need to walk 10,000 steps a day, a potential total of 500 miles, to reach her target by September 30.

Ms Morris said: “Sioned’s aunt had said Sioned was looking slimmer, but we put it down to a teenage growth spurt. Later we were shopping and the only dress that fit her was for ages 12 to 13. She was also drinking a lot. I knew something must be wrong and even wondered if she might have an eating disorder.

“We went to the GP as Sioned had pins and needles down her leg. When I mentioned her other symptoms, he suggested she might be diabetic and recommended a blood test. The next day the doctor phoned, saying I needed to bring her to hospital straight away.

“You often hear about Type 2 diabetes in the news, but we didn’t know much about Type 1. It didn’t sink in until they told us more about it and what it would mean. If we had left it much longer she could have slipped into a coma. Sioned took it in her stride, but I felt the world had crumbled.”

Sioned is now managing her condition well, graduating from Glyndwr University, Wrexham and starting a job at a day nursery while studying for her Level 3 Diploma in Child Care.

Ms Morris continued: “Sioned inspires us all. She has blips sometimes, but if she has a hypo at work her colleagues know what to do. Getting positive feedback from her healthcare team reassures her she’s doing OK. She’s very open about her insulin injections and making more people aware will increase others’ understanding. I’m so proud of her and everything she has achieved.”

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition that affects around 19,000 adults in Wales. People with the condition don’t produce the hormone insulin, which is responsible for controlling the amount of glucose in the blood. Nobody knows what causes Type 1 diabetes and it isn’t currently preventable

Speaking on her fundraising mission, Ms Morris said: “I like a challenge and knowing that our fundraising will help raise awareness and fund research. It will help me get fit and healthy too. One million sounds a lot but when you break it down it’s achievable.”

Joseph Cuff, fundraising manager for Diabetes UK Cymru, said: “We’re so grateful to Karen for taking up our challenge, and raising vital funds to help other people living with diabetes in Wales.

“Every penny raised will help us to support the millions of people living with diabetes in the UK so please give generously to Karen and support her efforts.”

To sponsor Karen, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sioned-morris.

To find out more about the One Million Step Challenge, visit www.diabetes.org.uk/million-step