AT JUST eight years old, Phoebe Maddison has already won a special award for her dedication to finding a cure for diabetes.

Phoebe, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes four years ago, has raised hundreds of pounds since she started fundraising for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation last year.

The St Catherine’s Primary School pupil has now been given the Child of Courage Award in recognition of her achievements, and it was presented to her by TV personality Kerry Katona.

Phoebe’s father, Antony, said he and his wife Michelle, who is recovering from a brain tumour, were proud of the youngster’s achievements.

“Phoebe won the award in recognition of her fundraising, living with her diabetes condition, and doing so with great courage despite her mother, Michelle, recovering from a brain tumour,” he said.

“Phoebe was proud and surprised to have won this year’s Child of Courage award. There were more than 200 nominations for the award.

“Kerry Katona certainly took a shine to Phoebe. Overall it was a great night.”

The award was given to Phoebe as part of the Pop4Diabetes Ball in Bournemouth last weekend, which raised more than £5,000 for JDRF.

She also sang on stage as part of the fundraiser.

Type 1 diabetes means the body cannot regulate blood glucose levels on its own. Phoebe, who will need four insulin injections every day for the rest of her life until a cure is found, has raised more than £1,110 for JDRF since she started her fundraising drive.

She said: “I am really pleased I have raised so much money so far.

“I think we just need a couple more thousand pounds until I am done.

“I just want to carry on going and try my best to do the things I need to do.”

Sarah Johnson, JDRF's director of policy and communications, said: “We are really grateful to all the organisers of Pop4Diabetes for the effort they put into making it such a special night. “It was an amazing opportunity to celebrate children like Phoebe who do an incredible job managing their Type 1.

“ Phoebe is just one of 29,000 children who are living with Type 1 diabetes and JDRF is determined to find the cure.

“A huge congratulations to Phoebe once again.”

To donate to Phoebe’s fundraising drive visit www.justgiving.com/phoebe-maddison.

For information, visit www.jdrf.org.uk.