24 teams from right across the region are set to take part in an It’s A Knockout Contest at Stewartry Rugby Club this weekend to raise money for charity, a family from Kirkcudbright have organised the event to raise funds for JDRF (juvenile diabetes research foundation) which is very close to their hearts.
The knockout contest is on Saturday, June 3rd from 12.30pm at Stewartry Rugby Club, and spectators are encouraged to come along and enjoy the spectacle of the 24 teams competing in a BBC style “Its a Knockout” contest!
There will be a bar, outside cocktail bar and food hut for spectators to keep the crowds happy.
Organiser Seonaid Anderson told DGWGO “My daughter Maisie Anderson who is now 19 years old was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2014 at 10 years old. This was very unexpected and she ended up very ill and critical, narrowly avoiding a diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
She thankfully recovered and was injecting insulin herself the next day! A trooper and a credit to us but we were left feeling very distressed and panicked by the prospect of caring for a type 1 daughter as this incurable conditions can be life threatening and every day is a challenge when caring for a child with this. Unfortunately this auto-immune disease is still on the rise nationally and is unexplained but Dumfries and Galloway does seem to have quite a high number of cases. It is terrifying for these kids and their families as life changes completely.
I took solace when finding out about the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and was astounded by their determination to find the cure. We as a family decided to take on many challenges and host many events to raise vital funds to help the 500+ worldwide trials the charity help fund.
I have ran 7 marathons and countless half marathons to raise money in addition to balls and many charity sporting events such as knockout contests, sports days and many more to try to have fun and promote wellbeing while doing so along with raising vital awareness of the symptoms of type 1 to help to avoid horrible outcomes.
My daughter inspires us daily to do more and keep battling as she has faced this with such grace and bravery. I get emotional even writing this when I think what these children go through because their pancreas has stopped working for a reason we just do not know yet.
So….Sat 3rd June is a contest for fun and to raise money and awareness but to also celebrate the bravery of these children. It has kindly been accommodated by Stewartry Rugby Club and organised by myself and my husband Lee, along with Maisie and her proud sister Lily.
It Will involve many its a knockout style games and challenges for the 24 mad teams who have stepped up to the challenge and want to support this amazing charity ..bar, snack bar, outside cocktails bar ,sunshine is on the menu and hopefully lots more people come out to enjoy the entertainment of these teams challenging themselves on the obstacles and enjoy the facilities…together as a community we can knockout type 1 diabetes!!”
