THE brother of a man who died from diabetes is hoping to raise awareness of the condition and funding for its research.

James Shoobert, 24, of Ayletts, Basildon, will be competing in the London Marathon on April 26 in memory of his brother Adam.

He died aged 20, in 2001, just five years after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

James also hopes to raise thousands for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Found-ation.

He said: “The charity is amazing and provides a great deal of help for so many people.

“It gave a lot of help to my brother, so I just wanted to say thanks.

“It is amazing how many people don’t know if they have the condition.

“I just want to raise awareness and make sure people know about it.

“Our family didn’t spot it and it was only when Adam was tested that we realised.”

Adam died after collapsing and having a fit when he woke one night, having missed a dose of insulin.

James, an engineer with Basildon-based Gardner Aerospace, only started training two weeks ago and has to raise £1,500 just to make the startline.

So far he has managed to gather £600, but is hoping to secure much more.

He added: “At the moment I do six miles every other day, but I know it’s going to get harder. I’ve just got to push on.”

To sponsor James visit www.justgiving.com/james shoobert