A campaign that aims to replace finger prick blood testing with painless monitors for children has reached its first year anniversary.

Parent-led Monitors4Kids has raised £100,000 to provide continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology - which is not available on the NHS in the Isle of Man - for type 1 diabetic children.

The two-year initiative continues to lobby the Manx Government into supporting their cause to ensure that children with the condition no longer need to rely on finger prick tests by the time the campaign ends.

Launched in July 19 last year, Monitors4Kids has provided around 40 type 1 children with CGM technology.

These monitors, which cost an individual up to £160 a month and nearly £2000 a year, can save children from having to give themselves 10 to 15 finger prick tests every day.

Joanne Wilkinson, who is leading the campaign and has a daughter with type 1 diabetes, said she was grateful for the ’incredible’ amount of donations and funds raised this year.

’With the help of numerous individuals and businesses within the community, we’ve been able to improve the quality of life for over 40 diabetic children and their families,’ she said.

’It’s been a really successful year of not only raising funds, but also awareness of diabetes and this technology.

’I must stress however, that this is only a two-year campaign, and by this time next year we need CGM technology to be available on prescription in the Isle of Man. We are calling upon everyone in support of this campaign to contact their local MHKs and lobby the government into making these changes.’

The Manx Diabetic Group, which supports all diabetics in the island and the campaign, has actively sought the attention of government members on the issue.

Charity chairman Joanne Clague said: ’Alongside the fundraising campaign for children, the Manx Diabetic Group has been lobbying behind the scenes to put continuous glucose monitors on prescription for all type 1 diabetics.

’Just as pumps and injection pens moved the administering of insulin forward from using syringes, these monitors are replacing finger prick tests to gauge blood sugar levels.

’Type 1 diabetics must test their blood several times a day and the monitors vastly improve quality of life, as well as giving better control of the condition, and so avoiding long-term complications of diabetes.

’The monitors are now available on prescription in many health authorities across the British Isles. Thanks to fantastic support from the community, the Monitors4Kids campaign has ensured children can access monitors free of charge - but this is limited.

’We’d like an assurance from the Manx Government that these children won’t have to go back to finger pricking when the campaign ends.’

For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.manxdiabeticgroup.com