Two little girls that have battled illness since they were toddlers are the reason a team of locals will climb an epic 6300 stairs in one hit in July.
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To a stranger, Jessica and Skye Singleton would seem like any other young 10-year-old girls.
They go to school, play sport and love their treasured sport of barrel racing on their two horses ‘Olympia’ and ‘Bernie’.
But these two little battlers live with the constant challenge of Type 1 Diabetes – managed by insulin pumps and having their blood glucose levels checked eight to 10 times a day, including all through the night.
The identical twins from Woolooma have motivated their former school principal at Belltrees – Kate Jones – to enter a team in the Stadium Stomp – the ultimate stair climbing challenge that is this year dedicating its funds to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
The team of local participants – ‘Never Give Up’ - including Jessica and Skye’s mum Michelle Roots and nan Doreen Roots, will climb 6300 stairs at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium on Sunday, July 26.
Mrs Roots (Doreen) said although the girls are not old enough to take part in the event, they will go along and cheer on the team, just as the members cheer them on at rodeos and every day throughout their lives.
“The idea is to promote the fact that just because they have diabetes, it doesn’t stop them from doing the things they love and taking part in active sports.
“The girls were diagnosed just before their second birthday and their illness is managed by insulin pumps, which gives them the freedom of eating and participating in sports.
“They compete weekly at rodeos and in other horse sports, and they are both good swimmers,” she said.
“With good health and strict management, they are able to participate in everything and lead as normal lives as possible.”
Mrs Roots said anyone can make a contribution either by taking part themselves or making a donation to the cause, which is very close to her heart.
“You can make up your own team and register it online at www.stadium stomp.com.au or you can join our team,” she said.
“If you can’t make it on the day, you can also make a donation.
“Hopefully one day they will find a cure, but they won’t be able to find one without research and that needs to be funded.”
For more information, visit the Stadium Stomp website or contact Michelle Roots via Facebook.
