DIABETES sufferer and veteran campaigner Phoebe Maddison, 10, will lend her voice at a fundraising event on Sunday.

Phoebe, of Groundwell West, will perform at the New Inn in Stratton to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK.

The St Catherine’s Primary School pupil and member of Swindon Stagecoach was diagnosed with Type One diabetes at the age of four.

This forced her to mature quickly as she had to learn from a very early age to monitor her blood sugar levels and diet.

Many would have found the regular checks and constant monitoring burdensome enough but not Phoebe. As soon as she was able to, the determined little girl began raising awareness of the illness never missing a chance to collect funds for research into a vaccine.

Phoebe contributed to the recording of charity single Find a Cure. She was also featured in the International Emmy-award winning Same But Different, a BBC Two programme exploring the lives of children suffering from a variety of conditions and disabilities.

She said: “I want to take part in everything I can to raise money for diabetes and to find a cure.

“I have done cake sales and toy sales – it has always been my goal to find a cure. You need to keep trying until you get there. I am really looking forward to the fun day because I love to sing. When I am on stage I can be myself.”

Dad Anthony said: “She is a very active fundraiser in raising money for diabetes charities, in particular Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Diabetes UK.”

“Phoebe has made it her mission to find a cure and raised thousands of pounds. She does what she can to help others. She found out about the fun day and offered to help and do what she could.”

The 43-year-old added: “Type One Diabetes has affected her life. She needs to be careful what she eats and make sure she checks her blood sugar level quite regularly.

“She is now on an insulin pump which gives her insulin 24/7 and helps to regulate her blood sugar. She had to grow up fast and she is mature for her age. She has coped tremendously.”

The event organised by Keilly Avenell of the New Inn, will run from 12pm until 12am. There will be a raffle, barbecue, a variety of stalls and a bouncy castle. Acts including Penfold, True Blue, WMD and Earlydaze will also perform throughout the day.