A teenage diabetes sufferer has been selected from more than 100 applicants to represent the UK and Ireland in a world cup style tournament for children suffering from the condition.

Josh Drew, aged 13, from Goldsithney, will take part in Junior Cup Diabetes, a seven aside football tournament in The Netherlands that is being held for ten to 14-year-olds who are suffering with Type 1 diabetes.

Josh is one of 29,000 children living in the UK and Ireland who is suffering with Type 1 diabetes and has had to adapt his lifestyle to cope with his condition.

All of Josh’s team mates have to use insulin pump therapy to manage their diabetes.

Insulin pump therapy has transformed the way that Josh is able to live his life. He said: “I can now eat what I want. It is easier because I only have to do one injection every three days which I find a lot better.”

The device that Josh has to wear is smaller than most mobile phones and is attached by either on a belt or clip. It pumps tiny amounts of insulin into the body throughout the day via a tiny tube from the pump feeding a smaller |cannula sitting just beneath skin.

The insulin pump has given Josh the |independence to be able to play sport and has enabled him opportunities such as being able to take part in the Junior Cup Diabetes |tournament.

Josh said: “I usually take it off for football matches and check at half time, but I wear it for hockey and wicket keeping in cricket.”

Twelve countries have been invited by team mascot, Lenny the lion, to compete in the |international football tournament, which will take place from August 22 to 24.

The aim is to bring together young people and their families in a new environment, where they can share experiences and gain advice on |coping with the condition as well as highlighting that all levels of physical activity can be performed by people with Type 1 diabete