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"When I was 29, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. I lost 1.5 stone in 3 weeks (which at the time I thought was brilliant!) and my eyesight had become blurred. Add to that the need to go to the toilet (in desperation) every 30 minutes and the extreme thirst, I should have known something was up, but I had never before come across Diabetes. I went to the doctor who sent me straight to the Royal Berks for numerous tests. I was diagnosed that day and immediately put on insulin injections to try to reduce my blood sugar levels. I had a 30 minute chat with a nutritionist and was then left to get on with trying to work out how to manage an insulin regime that would stabilise my blood sugars. For those that don't know, I am effectively trying to mimic my pancreas which secretes insulin to cope with the food you eat. Insulin transports sugar from the blood into the cells where it can be used for energy, or stored. Without insulin your blood sugars remain high, and you would die within a few weeks. So, without the research of Diabetes UK I would not be alive today.

Over the past 11 years I have learned a lot about how different food is converted into blood sugar (the speed and quantity of the rise in my blood sugars), how other hormones act in the opposite way to Insulin, how exercise and illness can affect how effective insulin is etc. Every day is a different day and managing Diabetes artificially is a daily battle.My most recent blood test was the best ever, which shows I am getting better at it, but I have had concerns over my kidneys losing function and over time the higher than normal sugar levels in my blood are likely to cause problems with my organs, blood pressure and nervous system.

Having said all that, I lead as full a life as possible and enjoy every moment of it. Diabetes UK has helped provide me with pumps, insulin and the technology to improve my control. With the rise in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes this charity's funds are in increasing demand and the pressure will only increase. I'd like to therefore give just a little bit back in the hope that one day this disease can be beaten. Maybe not for my generation but hopefully for the next one. They say 1 in 3 people born today will be impacted by Diabetes of some sort. If you can contribute it would be greatly appreciated. 

I have worked out that walking is great for keeping my blood sugar levels down. With a group of amazing friends, I now enjoy regular walking, with beautiful scenery around us, and some great conversations (and some very weird ones!). The Jurassic coast is one of my favourite places so I'm excited to be embarking on this journey with the fabulous ladies - Angela, Gill, Anna, Fi and Trudi. Thanks for taking the time to read this xx”- Beth

“A few months ago I decided to step up the pace in my attempts to get fit and lose some weight in the process. I signed up for an 8 week programme at the gym which involved eating a carb free diet. Beth heard about my plans and said she’d join me in attempting the carb free approach as it would benefit her diabetes. I was reasonably clueless about what I was getting myself into and, quite frankly, if she hadn’t pushed me along in the right direction I might never have got out of the starting blocks! Our walks subsequently involved many hours of conversation about diet and diabetes. The result is that not only have I been successful in achieving a healthier lifestyle and getting fitter, I have also learnt, firsthand, just how hard it is to stick to a diabetes friendly diet and the impacts this disease is having on so many people. The Jurassic Coast Challenge is a fantastic and exciting next step in our efforts to continue fighting Beth’s diabetes (and obviously we are pretty keen to do something that involves a lot more walking and talking!), and it’s a great way to raise some funds and awareness for a very worthy charity. It made a lot of sense to me to pick Diabetes UK as the charity I would support as this all began with Beth.” - Angela

"So here we are.......six friends united by the prospect of taking part and completing the Jurassic Coast Challenge 2018 from Poole to Bridport to raise funds for Diabetes UK. Make no mistake, this walk is no 'stroll in the park' but rather an up and down ultra distance of 100km. We have opted to start on the morning of Saturday 21 July and keep walking until we finish which we estimate will be some point on the afternoon of Sunday the 22nd. This adventure is both physical and mental so please help us keep going by sponsoring us to support Beth's chosen charity, Diabetes UK. Thank you" - Fi