Man With Type 1 Diabetes To Walk 117 Miles For Charity

[DCUK NewsBot]

A man who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 30 years is set to walk a gruelling 117 miles for charity. Gary Clements plans to cross Dartmoor and Exmoor, starting from the south coast and arriving in north Devon in just seven days. The challenge will start from Wembury Beach on Saturday, August 25 and all funds raised will be donated to Diabetes UK. Gary, who will be accompanied by his friend Graham Bell, will travel with just a rucksack, containing his medication. Speaking on his Just Giving page, Gary said: "I have been a type 1 diabetic for the past 30 years and that milestone, plus a mid-life crisis as I rapidly approach 50, made me stop and think isn't it time I did something to help? "It will be a challenge both mentally and physically with the additional concern of managing my diabetes during this seven day walk." He plans to reduce his insulin doses to a minimum throughout the day and rely on jelly babies to boost his blood sugar levels when required. He added: "I am fortunate enough to use an insulin pump so I can control the amount of insulin as required." So far he has already raised £700 and the company he works for has also donated £250 to the cause. Gary is self-funding the trip so every single penny raised will be given to Diabetes UK. "Those diagnosed face the risk of life-changing, and life-limiting, complications, unless they are given the very best care and the support they need to manage their condition well," Gary added. "We need to work together now - and take action now - to fund critical research, improve healthcare and treatment, and prevent yet more people developing this potentially life-threatening condition." If you want to contribute to Gary's mission you can do so on his Just Giving page.

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[zand]

What a tremendous effort. If he was doing this for JDRF I would happily donate, but since he will be giving the money to DUK I won't be giving.

 

[DCUKMod]

What a tremendous effort. If he was doing this for JDRF I would happily donate, but since he will be giving the money to DUK I won't be giving.

By virtue of being an officer of my local DUK group, I am a DUK member. One thing I will say is that whilst, as forward thinking T2s, we may not agree with DUK's currrent stance on diet, they are funding a huge amount of research into T2 diet and other stuff. I know from my soft touch involvement with the NIHR that there's a lot we never hear about work that we would consider to be very positive, sponsorered by DUK.

Of course, we all make our own decisions where we might donate our hard earned cash, and I completely respect your choice Zand.

 

[zand]

they are funding a huge amount of research into T2 diet

But why? The research has already been done, ploughing more money into re-inventing the wheel is pointless. T2s are carb intolerant (to varying degrees) so carbs needs to be reduced accordingly. The low carb message is out there now all DUK need to do is to change their existing advice.

I hope Gary Clements checks his feet after each day's walking and isn't afraid to call it a day if he is suffering with bad foot sores. My non-diabetic hubby and son did a 50 mile walk (but in one 17 hour walk, not over several days) and the blisters/raw patches were horrendous. I wouldn't like a diabetic to risk such awful foot sores, as they may not heal very quickly/well.