'Team Jamie' Swim for a Cure!

This weekend I got a call from my friend Becky, whose 7 year old son Callum was a member of ‘Team Jamie’ - taking on the ‘Swim22’ challenge for Diabetes UK. She wanted to see if I was able to help by taking some photos of the event. You may remember Gary’s article on ‘Team Jamie’ which you can read here >>>.

On Sunday, Jamie and his team completed the final leg of their swim at Perth Leisure Pool and raised lots of money of Diabetes UK in the process – what an achievement! I managed to get some pictures and watched the Co-op Rannoch Road present a cheque for £600 which had been raised from buckets in store.  I later learned that although one of the buckets was stolen that the Co-op had stepped in to make up the shortfall!  Becky introduced me to Jamie’s mum, Amanda, and I sat down with her and Linda Hamilton from Diabetes Scotland for a chat.

Amanda told me about a setback which Jamie had to overcome during the challenge.

“In the Easter holidays, he was playing football with his dad when he went into a diabetic coma for two days. It was really tough, but he bounced back as he always does and here we are – Team Jamie has done it!”

Although leading an active lifestyle and participating in sports is greatly encouraged, Jamie has to make sure his blood sugar is at a certain level otherwise he has to sit the activity out. This can be tough for him sometimes, especially as he is, according to his dad, obsessed with football! However, as Linda pointed out to me, “he’s a positive wee laddie!”

Team Jamie had just finished their swim when Amanda received a text from Jamie to say, “I feel sick, help me please, I feel low.”

Jamie’s dad headed down to the changing rooms to give him a hand after what had been a fantastic physical effort. That’s another important aspect of dealing with his condition on a day-to-day basis; he needs to ensure that he boosts his blood-sugar levels after exercise.

Soon after, our fundraising champ recovered from his dip and came back upstairs with a big smile on his face, which only got wider when he was presented by two pairs of signed goalie gloves from none other than Saints goalkeeper Alan Mannus! Mannus is Jamie’s favourite St. Johnstone player, so he was unsurprisingly delighted with the surprise. This little treat was arranged by SCBP’s own resident sports nut and all round good guy, Gary.  Jamie immediately put them on and said with joy that he’ll be wearing them next season when he plays between the sticks for Fair City Whites! I think Saints could have a future star on their hands!

Jamie, Amanda and I chatted for a while and his mum told me he is very specific about how where he wants the proceeds of his fundraising to go. 

“He’s always said that he wants to help scientists to find a cure, so the money will be ring-fenced, ensuring that it goes to diabetes research in Scotland”. 

Speaking of which the fund-raising is going… well… swimmingly!  At the time of writing, Jamie’s JustGiving page is sitting at almost £1800! However, there is always room for more donations! (Nudge nudge, link below) In addition to this, local businesses China China and the Cherrybank Inn have together raised £113 from bucket collections!

Congratulations on your amazing fundraising efforts, Team Jamie! We’re all very proud of you in the Small City office!

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Team Jamie:

To donate to Jamie's JustGiving page, click here >>> 

For more information about Diabetes UK and they work that they do, visit their website here >>>