Zion's World - Type 1 Diabetes Event

Aim

Creating a staple event for Type 1 Diabetes families and the wider community so no one feels alone, inspired by our 5 year old son Zion

On 16th March 2023 our lives changed overnight when our son Zion was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). 

Zion had lost a serious amount of weight and was experiencing excruciating tummy pains which were some of the symptoms that led us to A&E. After a series of questions they checked his blood sugar and discovered he was in severe DKA with a blood sugar at 49.9 mmol. For those who don’t know DKA is a life-threatening emergency that can be a consequence of undiagnosed T1D.

Outside of families experiencing T1D, it’s not well known or understood which is why Zion was not diagnosed quicker, despite us talking to our GP/Doctor across a 2 week period.

At 2 years old, going on 3, Zion was thrust into a new world requiring approx 6 insulin injections a day (some days more), 6 finger pricks (some days more), hypos (low blood sugar) with the lowest being 1.9 mmol and hypers (high blood sugar) with the highest being 49.9 mmol. In the first year Zion had over 2000 insulin injections, over 2000 finger pricks, a bunch of Haribo’s, digestives, lift drinks and glucogels to help treat his hypos, he has been woken up multiple times at night to treat or prevent a hypo but he does this all with the biggest smile on his face.

Zion has been the bravest, most inspiring, happy child throughout it all. The way he has navigated this has inspired us and that’s why we’re creating an event designed to bring T1D families together alongside the wider community, friends, relatives, health care professionals, schools and community groups. When someone has Type1 they shouldn't have to navigate it alone or in the shadows. This will be a space to learn together, share, and support one another. With your help, we can build the community we wish we’d had when Zion was first diagnosed, and make sure no other family ever feels alone on this path.

Our target is £7,000 if we raise more we will be able to do more.

This project successfully funded on 1st January 2026