A TEAM of staff, parents and pupils from Seend Church of England School are taking part in the London Bridge Challenge – a 10 mile walk across London’s 13 bridges – for Diabetes UK.
Year 4 pupil Rhys Lythell was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and must now routinely check his blood sugar levels and have insulin injections regularly throughout the day.
To show support, headteacher Jackie Chalk at Seend School signed up to take part in the London Bridge Challenge in October.
Jackie said, “I saw the details online and I love walking so I thought it was a great way to raise money for charity. Friends and family said they would join me, then parents and pupils also signed up and before I knew it, we had a whole team which is fantasistic.
“As a school we try not to draw too much attention to Rhys having diabetes, whilst the students are aware that he has to leave class during the day, we didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.
“Rhys is taking it all in his stride and I think he’s enjoying the attention, especially our visit from BBC Wiltshire. He will be taking part in the walk with us which just shows how being diagnosed with diabetes hasn’t changed his attitude to life at all. He still enjoys playing sports and being active. It’s certainly not going to stop him doing what he wants to do.
“Our target is £1,500 but the walk isn’t until October so we hope to be able to raise a lot more.”
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/teams/teamrhys
