Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

I am travelling to Ecuador for a high altitude trek through the Andes Mountains to raise money for Diabetes UK.

 I have chosen Diabetes UK because as an insulin dependant (type 1) diabetic myself I understand how diabetes can affect peoples lives, I also understand the excellent work carried out by Diabetes UK to make diabetics lives easier.

People with diabetes have a higher chance of developing certain serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, circulation problems, nerve damage, and damage to the kidneys and eyes. The risk is particularly high for people with diabetes who are also very overweight, who smoke or who are not physically active.

Diabetes UK carries out research into new medicines, causes of diabetes, the prevention and treatment of complications and also helps support the families of those suffering from diabetes. BUT ALL THIS COSTS MONEY!

Diabetes UK receives no government funding whatsoever and relies entirely on public donations and fundraising to be able to carry out its work

 

I have had diabetes since the age of 2 ½, I am now 24; in my life I have had approximately 32’000 insulin injections and carried out the same number of blood tests. I dream that one day I and other diabetics will no longer have to carry out blood tests before we eat and go to the toilet in restaurants to inject because we are afraid of what people will think of us injecting in public.

Anyway enough about my reasons for doing it, you’re probably more interested in what I’m actually going to be doing.

 

On the 5^th September 2007 I will travel to Ecuador and meet up with other fellow fundraisers and set off on a trek in the Ecuadorian Andes. Below is a basic itinerary from the charity challenge website.

 

• Arriving in the multi-ethnic city of Quito you will kick off this fantastic challenge with a visit to the equator line before heading for the nearby volcanoes to start your trek.
• Your challenge in the spectacular Avenue of Volcanoes begins with Pasochoa and El Corazon volcanoes, followed by Iliniza and culminates in the world’s highest active volcano, the magical Mt. Cotopaxi .
• The climb to Mt. Cotopaxi ’s (5,897m) summit is optional to those of the group who are exceptionally fit and prepared for the tough summit bid. Much of the final climb is on its glacier.
• You will start your climb at about midnight when the ice is hard and easier to trek on. As the sun starts to rise you will see that the clouds that for days have been so far up, are now down below you.
• Through gaps in the cloud, there are spectacular views of the Andes in every direction.  

For further details of the trek visit: www.charitychallenge.com/expedition_details.php?id=2137&trip=533

 Further details of the work carried out by Diabetes UK can be found at: www.diabetes.org.uk/research/index.html

 Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Diabetes UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.