A Galston Primary pupil has run and swam 50km to raise over £1,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to try and help find a cure after his friend was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Calum Fitzgerald, 11, decided to run to school and back most days, which was over 3km a day, as well as running and swimming at nights and weekends in March.
The local lollipop man watched for him coming and stopped the traffic so Calum doesn’t have to stop running.
His mum, Debbie, told Ayrshire Live: “Calum’s friend Brooklyn was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in February.
"Calum asked what diabetes was, so I explained to him that it was a condition where your blood sugar level can be too high as your body can’t produce a hormone called insulin.
“We talked about signs and symptoms to look out for. The next day at school, Calum noticed that Brooklyn wasn’t looking well so went and got help from a teacher.
"Brooklyn got first aid and Calum sat with him till he felt better. This happened a few times and Calum was quite shocked by how hard it was for his friend to adjust to living with the condition.
“One lunchtime when they were sitting together with a member of the school staff, Calum said that he wishes he could do something to help. He said that he is good at running, so wanted to run for Brooklyn and raise money to find a cure.”
Brooklyn's mum Maxine Ward, said: "It has been really overwhelming for Brooklyn at times but he has been a real little warrior overcoming all the challenges and learning how to manage his diabetes.
"When Brooklyn was diagnosed this February he was really worried about going back to school and having his teachers manage his injections and calculating his insulin. He really doesn't like being the focus of attention under any circumstances.
"On his second day back at school he had his first hypo which was really scary for him but Calum gave up his break time to sit in the class with him while he treated the hypo and has really been by his side ever since.
"Calum has even been learning how to do Brooklyn's blood sugar tests and really looks out for him.
"Brooklyn was quite emotional when he learned what Calum was doing to raise funds for diabetes research and I think that really helped him understand that he had a friend who really cared about him.
"Calum is one of the sweetest and kindest boys I have ever met and I’m so grateful for the bond those two boys have developed and so pleased that Callum is getting the recognition he truly deserves."
Calum is a member of the Kilmarnock Harriers and Irvine Valley Swimming Club but has never run a distance like that before. Initially, he hoped to run a 5km race but then realised that he would get more sponsor money if he would do 50km.
Debbie added: “Myself and his Dad Scott could not be any prouder of him, especially to do this to help his friend. He has a big heart and everyone needs a friend like Calum.
“Calum ran most days to school and back each way and at nights and weekends, he also swam on Thursday nights. Rain, hail or shine he ran and never complained. He had a fall at athletics training which stopped him running for a few days but after that, he was just determined to finish.”
Calum wanted to raise £100 for JDRF but raised over £1000 already.
He said: “I’m happy I’ve raised so much money and hope it makes a difference.”
Galston Primary have been supporting Calum throughout this challenge, especially his class teacher Mrs Smith.
She organised the Easter run from the service at the church to the primary school and arranged for the whole of P7 to run the last few hundred metres with Calum and arranged a police escort, with the Easter Bunny to run beside them.
To help Calum with his fundraiser, donations can be made here.
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