THIRTEEN-year-old diabetes sufferer Ben Croxford is getting a helping paw in coping with the condition from his pet dog Chester.

Now scores of Bicester slimmers, including Ben’s mum Katie, are losing pounds to raise hundreds for the charity that have trained the Labradoodle.

Ben, 13, was diagnosed with type-one diabetes four years ago. He uses a pump to get insulin into his body, but the condition is far from under control and he regularly ends up in hospital. But that is all set to change, thanks to a charity called the Medical Detection Dogs charity.

The organisation, based in Great Horwood, near Milton Keynes, trains dogs to keep an eye on their owners by detecting odour changes associated with medical events.

It will then warn its owner to take medication or to get help.

Each dog costs about £10,000 to train and support.

Ben was eligible for a dog, and as an added bonus the charity are now planning to train up Chester.

He said: “Hopefully when he is fully trained it will have quite a dramatic effect on my life.”

Val Neame, of Bicester Slimming World, said about 350 members had been asked to raise at least £5 for the charity by taking part in a sponsored slimathon.

For more information or to donate view medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk