A St Albans grandmother has been tattooed as part of a fundraising effort spearheaded by her teenage grandson.

Jan King, 68, got the tattoo to support her 14-year-old grandson Shaun Foley - who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2013.

She was joined my Shaun’s father John, mother Tina and godmother Jenna Bigwood who have also been tattooed with a design inspired by the teenager linked to the number 2, the date in February last year that he was diagnosed.

Jan, who lives in Maple Avenue, said: “Shaun is an inspiration to us all and I wanted to have the tattoo to show him just how proud we are of him.

“Somehow he always finds a smile. Even when he’s struggling himself he has a way of knowing when things are not right with others and will always find a moment to comfort people. To be able to sense these things at such a young age is a wonderful gift. ”

Shaun, a pupil at Sandringham School, is raising money for Diabetes UK. He said: “I was told I had diabetes on February 2 just a few days after I started feeling ill and tired, with stomach pains. It was a life changing event and has been a struggle.

"I continue my day to day activities but wish I could be like other kids and not think about everything I eat and how exercise will affect me.”

Shaun helped to create a design based on the number 2 to wear on a diabetes ID tag – a necklace which identifies that he has Type 1 diabetes in case of any medical problems if he was on his own.

"Once it had been created he realised the design could be used to raise money for diabetes research.

Teresa Strange, Diabetes UK Eastern Regional Fundraiser, said: “Shaun and his family are truly inspirational. Despite being devastated by diagnosis they are dealing with the condition in a positive way not only raising money but awareness of the condition.

"It is testament to the type of boy Shaun is that his family members have agreed to be tattooed and waxed to help boost the fundraising effort.

"No one knows exactly what causes Type 1 diabetes, but it’s not to do with being overweight and isn’t currently preventable.

“The money Shaun and his family are raising can help research into ultimately finding a cure for the condition. Diabetes UK currently invests £6million each year in new and ongoing research.”

To donate or find out more information about Shaun’s fundraising efforts visit www.justgiving.com/tina-foley.