A seven-year-old boy on a mission to educate other kids about type 1 diabetes has raised over £1,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity as thanks for the care he’s received since his diagnosis of the condition just over two years ago.

Abdur-Rahim Ilhan Yetim, known as Rimmy to his friends, first began to show signs of type 1 diabetes just after he started school. Rimmy became withdrawn and lethargic, which his mum, Amna, initially though could have been traits of his autism, however, when Rimmy’s teachers told her that Rimmy had begun wetting himself, she knew something wasn’t right. After noticing other symptoms such as unquenchable thirst but dry, cracked lips and a sore back, Amna took Rimmy straight to their GP.

The GP asked Rimmy for a urine sample and the mystery was solved almost instantly on finding a huge amount of glucose in his urine – a classic sign of type 1 diabetes, where the body cannot produce enough insulin to control blood sugar. Rimmy was immediately referred to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where he was admitted for five days to bring his condition under control and establish a treatment plan.

Two years later and Rimmy is enjoying a close to normal life. He uses a Dexcom device to continuously monitor his blood sugar levels and relies on an insulin pump to give him the insulin his body needs. He never leaves the house without his insulin, lucozade, dextrose, glucogel and scales but otherwise, Rimmy is just like any other seven-year-old.

Last year, Rimmy used World Diabetes Day, as an opportunity to help educate his teachers, classmates and their parents about the condition. He convinced his school, to hold a ‘wear blue to school day’ as well as a coffee morning. Rimmy even baked brownies and other cakes to sell to help the effort. His plan was for all the money to go to the hospital’s Diabetes Homecare Team.

Rimmy’s mum, Amna, said: “Rimmy’s diabetes diagnosis was a shock to our family but we’ve settled into a rhythm and manage it quite comfortably ourselves. However, if ever we can’t, or we have concerns, we know the brilliant Diabetes Homecare Team is on the other end of the phone to help us 24/7.

“Rimmy’s really taken control of his condition and just wants to educate other children and families by outlining the signs to look out for, so they don’t get as poorly as he was. Rimmy loves vlogs, so he’s even starred in a few TikTok videos explaining what happens during a hypo and how we treat it.”

Miranda Williams, Head of Public Fundraising at Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “It’s wonderful to hear Rimmy has really got to grips with his condition and that he decided to support our Diabetes Homecare Team through his fundraising, which supports so many families.

“As well as the fantastic awareness of type 1 diabetes, the funds Rimmy raised will go on to help other children just like him.”