Hackney Half: Hero schoolkids, 9 and 10, take on running challenge to raise cash for diabetes charity

Two superhero schoolkids, one of whom has type 1 diabetes, are taking on the Hackney Half for charity.

Fleur Fitzgerald, 10, and younger brother Ridley, nine. Picture: Ruth Fitzgerald - Credit: Archant

Fleur Fitzgerald, 10, and brother Ridley, nine, won’t be running the 13 miles in one go, but taking part in the “school challenge” – a mile a week for 13 weeks. A final mile will be completed on May 20 at the Hackney Half itself.

“She has to think about so many things,” said mum Ruth Fitzgerald, 42, “like what her blood sugar is before, or what glucose she’s going to have on board so she could get to the end without it being an issue.”

Fleur said: “Before my run I’m always thinking about checking my blood. Everyone else is doing whatever they like.” But she added: “It makes me feel like I’m the only one and it’s kind of special.”

Fleur and Ridley aim to raise £2,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

“I feel happy and excited that I’m raising money for a charity that might be able to help my sister and change her life,” said Ridley.

The foundation says there are about 400,000 people in the UK with type 1 diabetes. Sponsor Fleur and Ridley at justgiving.com/fundraising/fleurandrids.