Shropshire Star

New pal could be a lifesaver for Shrewsbury schoolgirl - Ralph training as medical alert dog

They say they are man's best friend and for one Shrewsbury schoolgirl it could prove to be a lifesaver.

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Keira Diavati from Copthorne, Shrewsbury has just taken delivery of her new pup Ralph.

But Ralph is no normal cocker spaniel.

He is to be trained as a medical alert dog who will let her parents, friends and teachers know when her blood sugar levels are dropping to dangerous levels.

And for Keira, it could mean the difference between life and death.

The schoolgirl, who attends St George's Primary School in Copthorne, is also busy preparing for a glittering awards ceremony this week after being nominated for West Mercia Police's Special Young Good Citizens Awards.

The 10-year-old, who was diagnosed with type one diabetes at the age of five, was nominated for the award by the school's headteacher, Sharon Munro. She decided to nominate Keira due to her charity work raising money and awareness for children and adults with type one diabetes. Her treatment involves a daily routine of injections and tests and she had an insulin pump fitted to her stomach in 2011 when she was just six years old.

Keira and Ralph.

Since being diagnosed Keira has raised thousands of pounds for local support group SKID (Shropshire kids insulin dependent) and JDRF, which is the national charity researching a cure. Last year, Keira was also invited to parliament to speak to MPs about living with type one diabetes as part of the JDRF Count Me In campaign, the purpose of which was to increase funding from the government in finding a cure.

Nominees for the police awards have all been recognised for their work. There are six categories for the police force, four community categories from the police and crime commissioner, and three winners of West Mercia's Young Good Citizen awards, with nominees spread across the force area.

Keira's mum Rachel said: "Keira received a letter through the post from West Mercia Police last month telling her she had won the award for her area and has been invited to an award ceremony at their headquarters at Hindlip in Worcester on Thursday. She was really excited. Last year she was nominated for the Pride of Shropshire Awards and she was ever so disappointed that she didn't win. To be recognised for her charity work is great."

Keira said: "I was so excited when the letter came through the post, I feel very lucky to have won and can't wait for the night."

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