Mum’s pride as seven-year-old son raises almost £2,000 to help those with Type 1 diabetes during coronavirus lockdown

Helen Maguire has expressed her pride after her seven-year-old son Reed raised almost £2,000 to help those living with Type 1 while in lockdown.

The family, who now live in Fulwell, Sunderland, have been self-isolating for over six weeks due to Reed being diabetic himself.

He was diagnosed with the illness when he was four, but he isn’t letting it stop him from living his life to the full and helping others.

Helen, who is originally from South Shields, explained how the idea of raising money came about.

She said: “Reed has been growing his hair for about six months now.

“I keep telling him that he needed to get it cut. In the end, he said that he would do it if I gave him £100.

“When I asked him what he was going to do with it, he said that he wanted to help others who are self-isolating with Type 1 diabetes get the supplies that they need during lockdown.”

Helen, 41, set up a fundraising page on Facebook and it got off to a great start, raising more than £1,000 in the first 24 hours.

“Throughout the day, the total just kept on rising. I told Reed that once it hit £1,000, he was getting his hair shaved,” she added.

The final total for the fundraiser is £1,931 and the money has been divided up and donated to various charities, including;

JDRF – a non-profit organisation committed to researching Type 1 diabetes.

Type-1 Kidz – a North East-based charity which supports children and their families living with Type 1.

Sunderland Soup Kitchen, Hebburn Helps, Key Project South Tyneside and Newcastle Food Bank were the other causes to receive money from Reed’s fundraiser as a thank you for the support they are giving out during the lockdown.

Helen added: “We didn’t expect it to get the response that it has, I’m so proud of Reed for thinking of others.

“I know people are struggling for money at the moment so I want to thank everyone for donating.”

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