A FAMILY has told how a doctor's fundraising campaign has changed their lives.

Eleven-year-old Alicia Graham was diagnosed with diabetes 18 months ago and had to endure a strict food regime and at least five injections each day.

But now thanks to Dr Bill Lamb, who works at Bishop Auckland General Hospital and Darlington Memorial Hospital, all that has changed.

Three years ago, Dr Lamb launched a campaign aimed at providing all the diabetic youngsters in his care with an insulin pump. Last November, Alicia, received hers.

Alicia's face breaks into a grin as she remembers the first day she was given an insulin pump.

"I went to a café and had a big chocolate chip muffin and a big cup of hot chocolate and I did not have to worry about it,'' she said.

Before that day life was very different for Alicia and her family, who live at Priory Gardens, in Willington.

Mum Anne said: "We had to wake her up at 7.30 every morning whether she was on school holiday or not, and she would have to eat breakfast and have her first injection.

"There were times when she wasn't hungry and didn't want to eat, but we had to force her to otherwise she would be ill."

A snack had to follow at 10.30am and lunch had to be at noon prompt, followed by another snack at 2.30pm and a strict tea time of 4.30pm. Supper at 7.30pm was also vital.

As well as the strict food regime, Alicia would also have to keep a diary and write about how she felt every time she had an injection to help doctors keep an eye on how she was managing.

Family days out had to be arranged around meal and snack times and sandwiches, Lucozade, Mars Bars and three different types of injections had to be packed even if it was just a shopping trip.

Alicia said: "I can now go out whenever I want and eat whatever I want. It is like I don't have diabetes at all.''

Alicia is one of 40 children in the care of Dr Lamb, who have each received an insulin pump.

The pumps provide a constant trickle of insulin to stabilise blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of hypoglycaemic attacks an the risk of long term complications.

Keen marathon runner Dr Lamb launched his Run 500 Miles Campaign in June 2003, vowing that he would keep going until all of the children in his care had insulin pumps if they wanted one. He has been running ever since.

Dr Lamb has received a phenomenal amount of support from people living in the Dales and surrounding areas, who have taken the campaign to their hearts, raising more than £125,000.

Alicia and her family are among the many who have raised more than £2,500 for the appeal so that other children like them can benefit.

Dr Lamb said: "I did not think the campaign would still be going. The Primary Care Trusts are now paying for the consumables needed to run the pumps but are not paying for the pumps themselves. There is still a long way to go. People locally have really taken it to their hearts. The communities have come together to do all sorts of things to raise money for the children. It really makes your heart glow.