DRWF Fundraising: Locks away - mother and daughter shave their heads and raise £120 for DRWF

A mother and daughter have shaved their heads to raise money for DRWF to raise awareness about type 1 diabetes as a close family member has the condition. With hot temperatures arriving this summer, like many other people living with type 1 diabetes, Charles Durrant, has experienced some difficulty keeping control of his blood sugar levels. His mother and sister, Penny and Sophia Durrant, felt one way to combat the heat, in solidarity with Charles, would be to keep a cool head – and so they shaved off their hair. Penny and Sophia decided to do this in support of DRWF and have raised more than £120 so far.

Charles was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was aged 12 – he is now 25.

Penny said: "Sophia and I shaved our heads and wore DRWF t-shirts. We are both loving how easy it is to not have much hair. My son, Charles, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged 12. He had been constantly thirsty and urinating frequently – recognised symptoms of type 1 diabetes. I took him to the GP and we were sent straight to hospital. His blood sugars were so high that the hospital couldn't get a reading on them. 

Charles stayed in for two or three days learning how to do his insulin injections. We were given an emergency insulin pen and I was told how to use it and warned of the risks that Charles could possibly go into a coma if not in control of the condition. Charles has been really struggling lately with his blood sugars going up to and then dropping down low into a hypo (hypoglycaemic episode – low blood glucose levels). I think the heat is to blame."

Karen Scott, Community Fundraiser at DRWF, said: “Thanks so much to Penny and Sophia for taking on this amazing challenge – what a fun way to support Charles, raise awareness of diabetes and funds for DRWF. Thank you!”

Penny and Sophia’s JustGiving page is still open for donations – and you can support them here

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