THIS smiling 11-year-old is doing everything he can to help find a cure for diabetes – a condition which he has lived with for the past five years.
Joshua McCarthy, who goes to St Thomas of Canterbury Junior School in Brentwood, has inspired his fellow pupils and their parents to dig deep and raise more than £1,440 for Diabetes UK.
Staff at the school, located in Sawyers Hall Lane, have hosted a series of fundraising events for the charity since Joshua first shared details of how his life had changed since he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes aged five.
At one such event on April 24, parents and pupils brought in their unwanted pennies to spell out Diabetes UK's logo in coins.
Joshua, one of four house captains at the school, told the Gazette: "More and more children are being diagnosed with diabetes each year and I wanted to raise money for Diabetes UK because I hope that one day there will be a cure."
His school chose Diabetes UK as its charity for 2013 after Joshua told his fellow pupils about the importance of its work.
Head teacher Dean Moran said: "Choosing just one charity to support this year has been a difficult task as there are so many worthy causes out there.
"However, a very emotive presentation by Joshua to the house captains and pupils on the school council convinced them that Diabetes UK would be our chosen charity, especially as we know of children and adults connected with our school community that live with diabetes every day. I have been really impressed with the way this group of children have set about organising and promoting their fundraising event.
"The penny harvest has been a real success – now the hard work really starts with counting all the money."
Joshua deals with his condition by using an insulin pump which is attached to his body by a cannula. This gives him a constant flow of insulin 24 hours a day.
Joshua, who lives in Warley, added: "When I eat I have to work out how much carbohydrate I have eaten and make sure I'm getting the right amount of insulin after."
Joshua's family are also keen supporters of Diabetes UK.
Each year, they take part in the charity's sponsored walk at Thorndon Country Park, raising £1,500 in the past five years.
This year's walk takes place on June 8.
