Teenager Alice Halstead is looking forward to spending her first night at home for three years.

For all that time, the Embsay 18-year-old has had to sleep in hospital so medics can keep an eye on her.

For Alice has a rare form of diabetes which requires constant supervivion. And she has had to either stay full-time at Leeds General Infirmary or overnight at Airedale Hospital.

But a stabilising of her condition, which causes major and unexplainable fluctuations in her blood sugar levels, has meant she can now live full-time at home – although with a team of nurses to care for her through the night.

“Four years after being diagnosed with type one diabetes and after three years of living in hospital, we’ve been given the fantastic news that I can go home,” she said.

“Nurses have been found to look after me overnight, so in the next couple of months, I will be at home full-time.”

Alice will remain under constant watch by the nurses who will monitor her blood sugar every hour.

Alice, a former pupil of Skipton Girls High School who had to end her studies as a result of her illness, has made it her mission to raise money for the charity, Rays of Sunshine.

The charity, which works with seriously and terminally-ill youngsters, last year realised a dream for her to visit a West End show. Earlier this year, she raised £17,164 at a fundraising ball at The Queens Hotel, Leeds.

She went to London to present the cheque to the charity and the band JLS, who were was there to realise the wishes of seven children through Rays of Sunshine.

“It was lovely to see the children having their wish granted. To see it first-hand made me more determined to raise more money so more wishes can be granted,” said Alice.

Alice was contacted by Silsden couple Julie and Phil Lloyd, who had read about her in the Craven Herald and wanted to help fundraise.

The couple were holding a joint birthday party on June 11 and asked guests to donate to the charity, rather than buy presents.

“Luckily, I was well, and we enjoyed a great evening,” said Alice. “Phil’s band, Little Earthquakes, provided entertainment and £360 was raised.”

Once at home with mum Linda, dad Christopher and sister Laura, she plans to continue fundraising and raising awareness for the charity.

“I am on a mission now,” she said. “I’m sure we all know a child living with a serious or life-limiting illness and, after experiencing a wish myself, I fully appreciate how special and memorable they are.”