A six-year-old girl struck down by diabetes will be the the inspiration for a Garston mother as she completes a 26-mile charity walk this weekend.

Emma Campbell, from Bowmans Green, will take part in the South Downs Trekathon to raise money for Diabetes UK.

Her daughter Lilly was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last October after collapsing one morning.

And Emma said she was “devastated” when doctors told her why.

She said: “When she was taken ill, I knew nothing about diabetes. I was very ignorant to it.

“It came from nowhere. We knew she wasn’t very well.”

Emma, 39, was told Lilly had a virus. But when she collapsed at home, paramedics asked if she had a history of diabetes.

It was then that she was diagnosed with acute ketonacidosis and told she had Type 1 diabetes.

After several days in hospital, the St Catherine of Siena pupil returned home, with orders to monitor her blood sugar every two hours and take insulin injections up to six times a day.

Lilly’s food must be weighed while keeping a close watch on how many carbohydrates she eats. She also enjoys special school dinners.

Emma, assistant manager of The Gate pub in Northwood, said: “The diabetes team were amazing. They came to her school and taught the class about it.

“They trained the teachers about what to do and how to give the insulin. The school has never had a child with diabetes.”

Tomorrow (Saturday), Emma will ramble along 26 miles of countryside to raise £2,000 for the charity.

“I just wanted to do something to raise some money for Diabetes UK,” she said.

“Hopefully I’ll finish in 12-14 hours. I’ve been taking the dogs for long walks and went to Derbyshire in the school holidays and did an eight-mile walk. I’m all prepared for it.

“I was so ignorant of diabetes. When I was told, I was devastated. I worry about her constantly. As she grows up, it will get a lot easier.”

To sponsor Emma, visit www.justgiving.com/emma-campbell0.