Sponsored by
Staithes women stumping up cash for diabetic unit
STAITHES women wearing fluorescent tutus beat the village's cricket team in a match to raise money for the children's diabetic unit at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough.
The fund-raising effort was prompted by the problems of five-year-old diabetic sufferer Alicia Theaker who lives with her family in Seaton Close, Staithes.
Alicia's mum, Rachael, was given the devastating news that the little girl has diabetes last Christmas.
She said: "We found out on Christmas Eve and we spent Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day in hospital with her. She was slipping into a coma and had to have insulin injections."
Alicia needed several injections a day which were unpleasant and painful.
Then in May she was fitted with an insulin pump that supplies her with the vital insulin without the need for the painful injections.
Rachael said: "It's absolutely marvellous. The pumps are expensive but we got it on the NHS and we've insured it for 3,000 on our household insurance.
"It's changed her life and she can now live like any five-year-old, eat the same sort of food and even have treats like ice-cream.
"I've talked to some people who don't like them but I would recommend them to anyone with the same problem as Alicia.
"She's quite a grown-up little girl and goes to Seton Primary School where the staff are all trained to deal with her pump."
Alicia will have diabetes for the rest of her life unless medical research discovers a cure for it. Although her immediate family doesn't suffer from it, her grandmothers on both sides of her family also had diabetes although fortunately her two-year-old brother, Lucas, does not.
More than 1,500 was raised at the cricket match which saw a men's team made up of Staithes Cricket Club's first and second teams take on a team of women.
The women beat the men by three runs with the final score 150 to the women and 147 to the men.
Rachael said: "We wanted to give something to the hospital in return for all that they've done for Alicia.
"It was very enjoyable despite the bad weather we had for it and we're very grateful to Staithes Athletic Club who let us use it for the cricket match day and to all the people who took part, sponsored us and donated raffle prizes.
"We'd also like to thank Staithes Co-op for letting us sell tickets there and everyone who supported us."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Whitby
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 37 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
