Our 2026 BBC Lifeline Appeal

Presented by our celebrity ambassador, Nina Wadia, our appeal shares real stories from people living with type 1 diabetes and the families whose lives have been shaped by it.

Through their experiences, we shine a light on the everyday realities of T1D and their hope for a future free from its constant demands.

Watch the film now

Donate today and double your impact

We know that a cure for T1D can’t wait and we need to find more funding for the research that will one day deliver us a cure.

Every pound raised will take us a step closer to a world without type 1 diabetes. And there’s more good news. Two of our generous supporters will double every donation made to the appeal up to £43,000. That means twice the progress, twice the hope, and twice the impact. Donate today to double your impact

Alongside Nina, you’ll hear from researchers Tim Tree and Parth Narendran on how early detection is changing what it means to be diagnosed with T1D, giving families a much softer introduction to life with the condition. We also speak to two families with very different experiences of T1D. Theo’s family, whose life has been transformed by the arrival of hybrid closed loop technology and Clare and Tony, who lost their son to T1D and tell us why a cure is so urgently needed.

Nina says: “I am honoured to support this appeal for Breakthrough T1D, the leading global type 1 diabetes charity. This appeal means a great deal to me; in 2017, my son was diagnosed with type 1 at just 10 years old. Overnight, ordinary life vanished. Checking blood sugar levels during the day and throughout the night, sorting out insulin injections and never truly being able to switch off became the norm. Because type 1 diabetes doesn’t just affect one person, it affects the whole family.”

We can’t do it without you

• Watch the appeal film
• Donate to fund vital research
• Encourage your friends and family to do the same
• Share our social media posts throughout March

Your support makes a difference

We rely on donations to drive groundbreaking research. We’re incredibly grateful to supporters like you, who continuously help us to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Since Breakthrough T1D was founded 40 years ago, you’ve helped us to:

Develop ways to detect T1D before symptoms start, to help give thousands a ‘softer landing’ into life with the condition

Develop life-changing T1D technology, such as the hybrid closed loop system

Understand more than ever before about restoring natural insulin production, with beta cell replacement trials taking place globally

Our world class research into new technologies and treatments is making living with type 1 better right now. But let’s aim higher and find a cure for this relentless condition.

Donate today and help take us one step closer to a world without type 1 diabetes. We won’t stop until we find a cure!