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I am John Wilding from Liverpool and together with Rob Andrews from Taunton and Parth Narendran from Birmingham we will be attempting the 'Escape from Alcatraz' swim whilst attending The American Diabetes Association's Scientific Sessions in June 2014.

This is about 1.25 miles in cold water with risks of strong currents and sharks! We’ll be swimming from Alcatraz to Aquatic Park in a group of approx. 35 swimmers. See https://waterworldswim.com/swims-events/alcatraz-crossings/

Fortunately we all have a wetsuits and there is a support boat!  We would be delighted if you could support our efforts by donating to the charity on this page

John is Head of Department of Obesity & Endocrinology at the University of Liverpool:  his clinical work includes looking after people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.  John was a member of the DRWF Scientific Advisory Board for over 10 years; his own research focuses on the links between overweight and obesity and type 2 diabetes, including the importance of exercise and a healthy diet.  He is currently working on a DRWF funded project studying the potentially protective role of vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) on inflammation and insulin resistance in fat tissue.

Parth Narendran works in the diabetes department at University Hospital Birmingham and at the University of Birmingham, and has seen how this disease can affect the lives of both the young and old. He has a number of family members with diabetes. In the past, DRWF has supported his research into diabetes, and he currently sits on their Scientific Advisory Board. With Rob, he is currently conducting a trial of exercise in type 1 diabetes in the UK to understand if and how exercise can benefit people with this condition.

Rob Andrews is Honorary Consultant Physician at Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton and a Consultant Senior lecturer at the University of Bristol. Clinically he looks after patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and specialises in giving advice to patients about how to manage their diabetes when exercising. In his research role,  Rob leads a group that looks at the role that diet and exercise can play in preventing and treating patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. DRWF has helped to support this research.

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