Pride of Guernsey: Erin Cottell

ERIN COTTELL has been nominated by best friends, Shannon Gavey and Alice Allen, for the Close Finance-sponsored Overcoming Adversity award for her ongoing battle with type 1 diabetes.

Erin was diagnosed with the condition at age two and managing the illness has always been at the centre of her life.
‘Following the end of her first year at university, Erin had fallen unconscious alone in her room and woke up a fortnight later in the UK unable to walk properly or use her right arm after multiple organ failure and a two-week coma,’ her friends explained in the nomination.
‘She has made phenomenal progress with her recovery and is so strong both physically and mentally, recovering movement in her hand and now working two jobs.’
She now works in two jobs and will return to university in September. Her friends praised Erin for her strength, optimism and determination despite the difficulties she has faced.