Inspirational Derbyshire girl, 9, takes on swimming challenge to help sister

A nine-year-old Derbyshire girl is set to swim 100 pool lengths to help her sister who has been diagnosed with a chronic life-long condition.

Delilah Carline -Nickson, an inspirational nine-year-old from Darley Dale, is undertaking the impressive swimming challenge to help her older sister Imogen and raise awareness about an exhausting condition she is facing.

Imogen Griffith, 14, has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a chronic auto-immune condition which affects fewer than one in 10 people in the UK.

The condition is significantly impacting Imogen’s daily life and means she will have to rely on life-long insulin treatment.

While there’s no cure for the condition, the nine-year-old Delilah wants to support her older sister in any way she can.

Natalie Carline, Delilah’s mum said: “I couldn’t be prouder of her, not just for taking on the challenge, but for the love and thought behind it.

“At just nine years old, she sees some of what her sister goes through, and I think it can sometimes be difficult for her to know how to help.

“When someone you love has a condition that you cannot fix, it can leave you feeling quite powerless.

“She cannot take away her sister’s diabetes or make all the difficult days disappear, but she has found something she can do.

“She can swim, raise money and show her sister just how much she cares.”

Natalie has explained the impact diabetes has on Imogen and her entire family including constant worrying, meal planning and responsibility to keep her daughter’s blood sugar stable.

She said: “Type 1 diabetes affects the whole family, not just the person living with it. It brings constant planning, monitoring, worry and responsibility, and it can be emotionally and practically exhausting.

“As a single parent, managing those responsibilities while also trying to make sure both children feel equally supported and cared for can be particularly challenging.

“Diabetes becomes part of everyday family life, and its impact reaches far beyond the person diagnosed.”

To support her sister and raise awareness about diabetes, Delilah has divided the challenge into four swimming session of 25 lengths each.

The nine-year-old initially hoped to raise £500 for Diabetes UK but her Just Giving Page has already raised £540.

Natalie said: “As a parent, there is something incredibly moving about watching your child turn that feeling of helplessness into something so positive.

“ She is putting time, effort and determination into a challenge because she wants to make a difference for her sister.

“It is such a sweet and selfless thing for a nine-year-old to do, and I would love for her efforts to be recognised.”

You can support Delilah’s fundraising efforts via her Just Giving Page, which will continue accepting donations until November 11.