Diabetic, 12, gets £10,000 to stage her own musical.

A DIABETIC girl with a passion for drama has been awarded £10,000 to stage her own musical.

Twelve-year-old Charlotte Smith is bringing Alice in Wonderland to Middlesbrough Theatre for two performances later this month.

Charlotte, from Marton, in Middlesbrough, and a pupil at Nunthorpe Secondary School, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was six.

Now able to monitor her blood glucose levels, she is determined to live life to the full and pursue her love of acting.

As her dance school, Thornton Academy of Performing Arts, had never staged a musical, Charlotte entered the Bayer Diabetics Care Dream Fund, which she won with her business plan of how she would organise her own musical production.

The Dream Fund is a unique national competition offering people with diabetes the chance to apply for a grant to help them make their wishes come true.

Part of Charlotte’s dream was to invite other children with diabetes from the local area to enjoy the performance.

As a result, diabetes nurses at The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, have written to patients aged between five and 12 offering them a free ticket to the musical, and the chance to take part in a dance workshop.

She said: “I have never let my diabetes get in the way of having fun – and I hope that this musical will help people to understand that children with diabetes can take part in all the activities that other young people love, as long as they take care of their health.

“I hope people will come along to the show and support my dream. It’s not only performing that’s important to me – I also hope the show will help raise at least £4,000 for Diabetes UK.”

Charlotte and her friends are now limbering up for the performances on Sunday and Monday, October 18 and 19.

Charlotte has landed the role of Tweedle Dum, while her ten-year-old sister, Emilia, will be one of the Cheshire Cats.

A spokesman from Bayer Diabetes Care, said: “For By Lucy Richardson lucy.richardson@nne.co.uk anyone to perform on stage takes courage and a lot of dedication – and it’s even more of an achievement when a young person has the daily challenge of managing their diabetes.”

Tickets, costing £8 for adults and £6 concessions, are available on 01642-815181.