LITTLE Lottie Clark clocked up the miles over the summer for a cause close to her family’s hearts.
Along with her mum, dad, brother Max, wider family and friends, the Lochmaben eight-year-old completed the Diabetes UK One Million Step Challenge.
And their combined stepping out efforts have so far raised £1600 for the charity.
The Clarks decided to put their best feet forward after Lottie was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last year, aged seven.
Mum Susan explained: “Lottie was diagnosed on October 25. We’d been on holiday in Barcelona and noticed that she was permanently thirsty, drinking a lot of water and needing the toilet a lot.
“When we got back home, we made an appointment with the GP at Lochmaben Surgery who very quickly picked up from the symptoms that it may be Type 1 and invited her in immediately for tests. From then it was straight to the children’s ward who couldn’t believe how “well” she was for someone who was being admitted with Type 1 – e.g. cartwheeling down the corridors.”
She praised the hospital team for their support in helping them all get to grips with calculating carbs for every snack and meal and administering insulin injections.
Earlier this year the schoolgirl was fitted with an Omnipod insulin pump, which has been ‘amazing’ and has cut out the eight insulin injections she needs every day.
Seeing what her daughter goes through prompted Susan, and husband Kev, to sign up for the step challenge in a bid to raise awareness and money.
She said: “We started the challenge on holiday up in the Black Isle so did lots of walking along beautiful beaches spotting dolphins.
“We literally walked all summer, trying to hit 16-20k steps each day to finish the walk a month ahead of schedule. We invited friends to join us and we loved the company and different walks along the way.”
Among their routes were Castle Loch, Halleaths, Hoddam, the River Nith, Eskrigg, Rockcliffe, Brighouse Bay, Portpatrick, Mabie Forest, Carlisle and Powfoot.
They added to their total during a city break in London, when they clocked up 30k steps each day.
Susan added: “We have loved spending our summer walking and talking with friends.
“A huge thanks to everyone who has supported us on our walks or sponsored us. Our step total was 1,027,948.”
