A KILWINNING teenager is backing a new campaign to raise money for a leading diabetes charity.

Alyssa Faulkner, 17, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes three years ago and is keen to raise awareness and understanding of the condition.

She is backing fundraising by fashion brand Lovelin for Diabetes UK to create a limited edition t-shirt to help fund research towards better treatment and a cure.

Alyssa will be entering her first year of a Community Learning and Development degree at University of Dundee in September and is determined not to let her Type 1 diabetes hold her back.

Speaking this week, she said: “Diabetes can be a really hard condition to manage and I find it difficult when people think that I’m not in control.

“Sometimes you do all the right things but your blood sugar can still go really high or really low and that can affect your day in a negative way.

“I also get severe hypos where my blood sugar drops really low which can make me ill. It can be a challenge doing simple things like getting on a bus by myself as I can get worried that I might have a hypo and have no one around to help me.

“Having said that, it’s really important for me not to let my diabetes stop me from living my life.”

Alyssa added: “I enjoy playing netball and classical guitar and I’m really looking forward to moving to Dundee for university in a few weeks. I also volunteer with Diabetes Scotland to support other young people with Type 1 diabetes. It’s really important to have a good support network and people you can talk to who really understand what you’re dealing with.”

The Lovelin t-shirt is only available for sale this week and the design carries the powerful message “I am greater than the highs and lows”

Alyssa continued: “I love the t-shirt’s design and message. Every person living with diabetes is greater than the highs and lows the condition brings. We may have diabetes but the condition doesn’t have us.”

Throughout July, Lovelin has been donating £5 from the sale of every t-shirt to Diabetes UK.

The t-shirt, priced at £30, is available from www.lovelin.co.uk to purchase.