A MOTHER and son team from Yate are raising money and awareness for charity, after a shock diabetes diagnosis.

Sarah Hitchings, 42, and her son Joshua, 11, had their lives turned upside down in October last year when Josh was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.

The condition is a big problem in the 21st century, with the UK having the fifth highest rate of Type 1 Diabetes in children aged up to 14 years old.

You can get Type 1 diabetes for a number of reasons, but none that are linked directly to obesity or an unhealthy lifestyle.

It can lead to serious illness and death if not treated correctly, or undiagnosed.

However, the student of Chipping Sodbury School isn't letting his condition get him down. On June 2, with the help of his mum, he took part in a 2.5km fun run obstacle course.

This took place at Trelai Park in Cardiff and he was able to raise an amazing £190 from family and friends.

Sarah then raised a further £500 to the total, by completing a 400,000 step challenge over 40 days.

"It was a very upsetting time for us all when Josh was diagnosed," Sarah said after completing the fundraiser.

"I noticed a few changes in Joshua, he was very moody, which was very unlike him, extremely thirsty and lost weight.

"When Joshua was diagnosed on October 11, 2017, three other children in Yate/Sodbury were diagnosed too.

"There is nothing that you can do or could have done to stop it. It isn't caused by poor diet or an unhealthy lifestyle and he will rely on insulin for the rest of his life.

"However, almost a year down the line, the doctors are extremely pleased with us, Joshua especially.

"He has been truly inspirational and taken it all in his stride.

"It seems to be quite a common condition now and I really wanted to make people more aware of the symptoms, especially if it saves someone's life."

All of the money raised by Josh and Sarah will go towards the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.