Kirkby Lonsdale school pupil thanks hospital staff for helping him complete marathon and overcome diabetes challenges
A teenager who completed a marathon to raise money for charity has thanked the Paediatric Diabetes Team at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) for helping him to live his dreams despite having Type 1 Diabetes.
Marley Newton-Ham, 17, from Tunstall in the Lune Valley, completed the 26.2-mile challenge for Young Lives vs Cancer with the support of close friends Ben Brassington, Finn Keeler and Mitchell Hoyes, as well as family members who encouraged him along the route.
The Year 12 student at Queen Elizabeth School in Kirkby Lonsdale said the achievement was about raising money for charity and also proving that diabetes does not have to stop people from living life to the full.
Marley has been cared for by UHMBT’s Paediatric Diabetes Team since being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2022.
Since that time, he has continued to embrace sport, travel and new challenges.
He credits the team with giving him the confidence and support to manage his condition while pursuing the things he loves.
The fundraising challenge began when Marley’s friend Finn invited him to take part in a campaign to run 5km every day throughout June in support of Young Lives vs Cancer.
However, as the month progressed, Marley decided he wanted to push himself even further.
Marley said: “I said to Finn that I wanted to try running a marathon. He suggested we should probably do a half marathon first, but I thought we should just go for the full thing. Sometimes you’ve just got to give things a go!
“I’ve spent time in hospital myself and you see children and young people who are going through so much.
“There was always a chance things could go wrong. If my blood sugar levels dropped too low, I would have had to stop.
"Physically it was hard, but my diabetes was probably the thing I was thinking about most. Every time my numbers dipped, we had to work together to bring them back up and keep moving.”
Marley was first diagnosed with diabetes after becoming increasingly unwell. Blood tests confirmed Type 1 diabetes and he was admitted to hospital, where he spent several days learning how to manage the condition and inject insulin for the first time.
He said the support of the Paediatric Diabetes Team made a huge difference: “They’ve been amazing from day one. We couldn’t have asked for a better team. Paul Dunstan, a dietitian in the team, was particularly helpful with preparing me for the marathon.
“As a family, we can call the team whenever we need advice and they’ve always been there for us. They’ve helped me understand that diabetes doesn’t have to stop me doing the things I love. They never make it feel like a hospital appointment. They’re so friendly and supportive. It feels more like talking to family friends. They’ve genuinely changed my life.
“At the start we didn’t know anything about diabetes. The team were patient and supportive and helped us realise that I could still do everything I enjoyed doing. They’ve encouraged me to keep running, travelling and challenging myself.”
UHMBT’s Paediatric Diabetes Team cares for children and young people living with diabetes across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
The team includes specialist nurses, consultants, dietitians, a clinical psychologist and a patient navigator, providing support from diagnosis through to the transition into adult services.
Children and their families receive education and support to help them manage insulin, monitor blood glucose levels and navigate the many challenges that diabetes can bring. The team also works closely with schools, youth groups and families to ensure children can participate safely and confidently in activities both inside and outside the classroom.
When marathon day arrived, Marley was joined by his best friend Ben Brassington, who ran alongside him for the entire distance. Another close friend, Mitchell Hoyes, accompanied the runners on his mountain bike.
“I felt so lucky,” said Marley. “Ben, Mitch and all my friends were incredible. Those little moments where someone came alongside you, gave you a fist bump or some encouragement meant absolutely everything.”
The route took the group from Caton village towards Lancaster and Glasson Dock before looping back through Lancaster and finishing near the Crook o’ Lune.
Along the way Marley relied on bananas, flapjacks, energy gels and glucose supplements to maintain his energy levels and blood sugar levels.
Marley’s parents, Laura and Luke, brother Leo, grandparents, other relatives and friends followed his progress throughout the day, carrying supplies and encouraging him.
“My mum and dad have been incredible,” he said. “They take so much weight off my shoulders every day. During the marathon they were there the whole time helping me manage everything. I honestly couldn’t have done it without them. I’m unbelievably lucky to have so many people around me who believe in me.”
Suzanne Jackson, paediatric diabetes specialist nurse for UHMBT, said: “Marley’s achievement is incredibly impressive. Running a marathon is a huge challenge for anyone, but to do it while managing Type 1 Diabetes requires an enormous amount of planning and determination.
“Many young people with Type 1 diabetes worry that exercise could cause their blood glucose levels to drop too low, so Marley’s marathon is a fantastic example of what can be achieved. He worked hard, planned carefully and showed that diabetes doesn’t have to stop you doing the things you love.
“Our aim is to help every child and young person live the life they want to live. Whatever they wanted to do before they were diagnosed with diabetes, we want them to know they can still do it. It just takes a bit more planning and support. When children are diagnosed, we teach them and their families everything they need to know to manage diabetes safely. We support them in hospital, at home and in school, helping them gain the confidence to manage their condition and live independently as they grow older.
“I love my job and seeing young people like Marley learning that their condition doesn’t define them is one of the most rewarding things about the role.”
Marley’s mum Laura said: “Our sincere thanks to all the team and to Dr Sultan for the support and advice we have received over the years, available 24 hours a day.
“There have been quite a few times we have had to call in the middle of the night or during holidays on another time zone but knowing they are there and the way they have cared and reassured us is just unbelievable! We cannot put into words how grateful we are and how much we appreciate them all.
“Diabetes is an incredibly complex and challenging disease. Over the years we have all suffered burn out from the number of decisions we have to make in a day especially during challenging teenage years where growth hormones resist insulin. These are rollercoaster weeks that are relentless, initially needing a lot of support but over the years they have helped us all grow in confidence to make changes on our own with the knowledge they have passed on. We are constantly learning even four years on!
“The team have always been so encouraging of Marley and the sports he loves and helped guide us in staying safe so he can enjoy it all.
"I’m pretty sure this won’t be the last marathon but what a proud day it was for us all. It just proved that Diabetes wasn’t going to get in his way of anything.”
Marley’s dad Luke added: “They were there for us in the very first moments of us entering a very scary new world. When everything was so terrifying and we felt so vulnerable.
"Fast forward four years and Marley is getting advanced nutrition advice for endurance running from them!
“They are an amazing team of people. Just as Laura says, we would be lost without them. And most importantly ‘Go Marley!’”