A FOUR-year-old boy has won an award for his efforts to raise awareness of diabetes, having battled the condition for the last two years.

Freddie Fox from Lymm was diagnosed with type one diabetes at the age of two, meaning that he experiences tiredness, weight loss and extreme thirst due to his body’s inability to produce insulin.

But little Freddie has not been held back by the condition and held awareness sessions with fellow pupils at his nursery, Holly Grange Montessori Nursery on Oughtrington Lane, during last June’s Diabetes Week.

Now he has received the Young Person’s Outstanding Contribution Award during charity Diabetes UK’s Inspire Awards.

Mum Linda said: “Freddie’s friends were curious as to why he has injections and extra snacks, so the awareness session allowed the children to understand that these keep Freddie healthy and don’t stop him participating in any activities.

“They are simply accepting of it.

“It also means staff are more likely to spot signs of the condition should symptoms present in any other children and highlights that type one is a manageable condition at nursery even at such a young age.”

Activities during Freddie’s awareness day included a finger prick test, which measures his blood glucose reading daily.

Trudie Walker, managing director of Holly Grange Montessori Nursery, said: “By working closely with Freddie’s mum Linda and getting the correct training for staff to test Freddie’s insulin levels and administer his medication, he soon settled into nursery life and is able to take part fully in all activities.

“Freddie is a very energetic, outgoing and confident little boy who is not inhibited by his medical condition – in fact, he is happy to share information about it with others as he did during our diabetes awareness day.

“He is a great example of a child who is still very young dealing with this condition in the best possible way and with the full support of his parents and staff here at the nursery.”

Freddie was presented with his award at the nursery on Friday, April 28.

Stephen Ryan, head of Diabetes UK in the north, added: “Freddie has demonstrated incredible bravery in how he has managed his diabetes since his diagnosis at such a young age and the care and support he has shown to others in raising awareness of the condition.

“It is an honour to be able to recognise his achievements with this award.”