THE close friend of a young mum who died suddenly a year ago took part in a gruelling cycle race in her memory.
Nicola Rigby, of Princes Road, Ellesmere Port, was 26 when she was found dead at home by her fiancé Mark Wilson in July last year, just five months after giving birth to her first child, Lily.
A post-mortem examination held in November found Nicola, a keen member of the Vauxhall Motors ladies football team, had been unknowingly suffering from a form of type 1 diabetes called ketoacidosis (DKA).
Last weekend one of her best friends Colette Hill, 27, took on the 13-mile Great Manchester Cycle challenge across the city to raise funds for Diabetes UK.
Colette from Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port, said: “When Nicola was pregnant she developed diabetes but it was never diagnosed. If she had been diagnosed in time and received the right treatment, this tragedy could have been prevented.
“I am keen to raise awareness of diabetes and will also be fundraising with Vauxhall Ladies Football Club.
“We’ve all been devastated by her death and are rallying round her fiancé Mark and baby Lily,” she said.
She added: “Nicola was popular and well loved and we have all put a lot of effort into fundraising and are keen to make more people aware of the warning signs for diabetes.
“The team have had her name printed onto their football tops and we will also have the Diabetes UK logo on them this season to help raise awareness so tragedies like this don’t happen again.”
To sponsor Colette, visit justgiving.com/Colette-Hill
