The family of a child who has a life-threatening disease is organising a charity ball to raise awareness and fund vital research for a cure.

Mylee Goodson, five, from Meadow Farm Lane in Horsham St Faith, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes aged three in March 2015.

A previously active and healthy child, Mylee suddenly became extremely tired and thirsty and lost weight two weeks before her diagnosis from a finger-prick blood test.

The disease, which affects blood glucose levels, is the most common form of diabetes in childhood and can cause death if untreated.

But many people do not know the signs, according to Mylee's mother and full-time carer Chloe Clarke, 26.

Miss Clarke, along with her sister Chantelle Cage, 24, from Bardolphs Court in Thorpe Marriott, have arranged a fundraising ball for November 3 this year at the Holiday Inn Norwich North on Cromer Road for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDFR).

Since November 2015 the family has raised just under £960 for JDFR through Mylees Mission campaign.

Miss Clarke, who has a one-year-old boy called Woody, said: 'It is scary because not enough people know the symptoms and if it is misdiagnosed, it can be lethal. I only knew about Type 1 diabetes after I searched about it on Google.'

The disease can be triggered by a virus and develops when insulin-producing cells in the body are destroyed.

Insulin, a hormone, helps the human body to use glucose in blood to produce energy.

Sufferers have to receive insulin injections several times a day to balance out blood glucose levels.

Mylee's levels are constantly monitored and she receives one-to-one school support.

Her food is weighed and the youngster's condition is affected by illnesses including a common cold, exercise and her emotional state.

Miss Clarke added: 'It is a juggling act. We live on the edge.'

She said despite appearances of Mylee being a typical five-year-old it was frustrating because people did not realise how serious the condition was.

Tickets for the ball, happening from 7pm-1am, cost £40 per person.

For tickets email myleesmission@hotmail.com

Visit www.jdrf.org for more information.

Type 1 diabetes symptoms

Type 1 diabetes develops when the insulin-producing cells in the body have been destroyed and the body is unable to produce any insulin.

The condition accounts for 10pc of all adults with diabetes and is treated by daily insulin doses – taken either by injections or an insulin pump.

Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age but usually appears before the age of 40.

It is the most common type of diabetes found in childhood.

The four most common symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in children are:

?Going to the toilet a lot, bed wetting by a previously dry child or heavier nappies in babies;

?Children being thirsty and not being able to quench their thirst;

?Feeling more tired than usual;

?Losing weight or looking thinner than usual.

If children have any of these signs and symptoms they should be taken straight to the doctor for simple finger-prick blood test.