Type one diabetic children in the island have been given their first free set of painless monitors.

The campaign has raised enough money to buy the blood glucose testing monitors, which save children from having to give themselves 10 to 15 finger prick tests every day.

These continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are not available on the NHS in the island.

Jo Wilkinson, who leads the campaign, said: ’As a parent, I’ve experienced firsthand how life changing these monitors are for children with type one diabetes. It’s about better quality of life as well as better control of blood glucose.

’Being able to wear a monitor has made a huge difference to Danielle’s life and to family life in general.

’The next step in the campaign is to continue to liaise with the Isle of Man health service as to how we can make these mainstream CGM devices available on prescription and continue to raise funding to support the devices for a second year.

’Hopefully by then CGM will be available on prescription.’

Her daughter, Danielle, said: ’I am so overjoyed and thankful to everyone who has helped us get this far. It really does make a huge difference.

’Having a monitor has changed my life and I am so glad that we have been able to help other diabetic children too.’

The monitors, approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, are placed under the skin and are ’swiped’ to get an instant blood sugar reading.

Information is then stored and parents can have the data sent to their mobile phones, including urgent notifications if their child has a potentially dangerous low blood sugar level.

The first set of free monitors were distributed this month, with Health Minister David Ashford attending the celebrations.

Ruby Sherry, 10, is using the special monitors for the first time.

Her mother, Rebecca, said: ’We are now finger prick free. It truly is the best present ever for my daughter.

’What a relief for her from pricking and a reassurance for me when she plays or is not in my company knowing I can keep watch. Thank you Monitors4Kids.’

The Manx Diabetic Group has been backing the campaign, having donated £10,000 to kick-start Monitors4Kids.

Joanne Clague, chairman of the MDG, said: ’We are really pleased to have taken this financial burden away from families.

’There are about 40 type one children in the Isle of Man and they all now have access to free monitors.

’We’ve received amazing support from the local community and we’re still busy fundraising so we can continue to help parents until monitors become available on prescription.

’The support from everyone in the island has been overwhelming. We have now raised enough money to fund CGM devices for all type one children in the Isle of Man for 12 months.

’When we started the campaign, we thought it would be a year before we could achieve this so we are delighted.’

To find out more about Monitors4Kids, email [email protected] or contact the MDG charity on [email protected]