Boy walks 365 laps of street to raise money for type 1 diabetes after diagnosis

A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy is walking, riding and scooting 365 laps of his Thatcham street to raise money for Diabetes UK.

It’s almost been a year since Leighton Harkness was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

He was just six when he was rushed to Royal Berkshire Hospital after not feeling quite himself.

His parents, Kymberley and Grant Harkness, were told that he would need to monitor his blood sugar and take insulin injections.

From now until Sunday, August 28, Leighton will be completing laps along Derwent Road, one lap for every day since his diagnosis.

Funds raised will go towards buying a diabetes insulin pump for someone else affected by the condition.

Mrs Harkness said: “I am extremely proud of Leighton and how he deals with everything put in front of him.

“His life has changed dramatically but he always has a smile on his face. He is such a lovely outgoing little boy and diabetes hasn’t changed this.”

She added: “He didn’t want everyone to be sad about his diabetes anniversary so he decided to give something back to Diabetes UK and to help others.”

Leighton has asked for neighbours to support him in the form of smiles and waves as he walks, scoots and rides by.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune response that attacks the cells that produce insulin. The condition can be caused by inherited genetics or environmental elements.

For Leighton’s Just Giving page visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/leightonharkness