AN Oxfordshire mother and son have taken part in a marathon challenge to help raise awareness of Type 1 Diabetes – a condition affecting four members of their family.

Determined duo Sharon Darke and 15-year-old Samuel hit the streets of Oxfordshire last Friday joining diabetic and national fundraiser Gavin Griffiths as he attempts to run 25 UK marathons in one month.

Mrs Darke completed the full 26.2miles while Samuel, who was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 13, joined in for the last five miles.

The Oxfordshire run was Mr Griffiths’ seventh marathon in as many days as he looks to raise £10,000 to help improve education and treatment of Type 1 Diabetes across the globe.

Mrs Darke, of Middleton Cheney, said: “There was a really good energy out there and to make it over the finish line was a fantastic feeling.

“My husband is diabetic, Samuel was diagnosed just before he was 13 and my father-in-law and my niece are diabetic so it’s a cause that is very close to our hearts.

“When my son joined us for the last five miles that provided a good boost.

“It’s great to be able to help people understand what it’s like to live with diabetes, and the impact it has on everything you do.”

Starting in Botley, the group ran through Oxford centre to Abingdon, before returning to the city, finishing at Bury Knowle Park.

Both Mr Griffiths and Samuel use special blood sugar monitors to help manage their blood glucose levels more closely during strenuous physical activity, which allows them to take part in such events.

Samuel, who got to run with the Olympic Torch Mr Griffiths carried in 2012, said: “It was amazing running with Gavin and my mum.

“I normally just do three miles but it was good to run the five because it’s for such a personal cause,

“It’s good that people can see what we’re going through and how we can manage it.”

Mrs Darke added: “Samuel is really sporty but he manages his diabetes so well to ensure he can do everything he wants to.

“It just takes more planning.”

Mr Griffiths, 26, who ran the route as part of a five-strong team, including the Darkes, said the local family provided great motivation for him during the Oxford leg of his challenge.

He added: “Getting to know Sharon and Samuel and sharing our experiences with the disease and our CGM Dexcom monitors reminded me why I’m doing this challenge and how important it is to raise awareness of T1D.”

For more information on diabetes or to support Mr Griffiths’ DiAthlete 100 Challenge visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/diathlete100