Who am I?
My name is Siobhan, and I’m in my first year studying International Education at Bath Spa University. I have been a Type 1 diabetic for 17 years, a condition which affects up to 2.3 million people (as well as 750,000 who don’t know they have it).

What am I doing?
On May 3rd, I will complete a zip wire which will send me hurtling from one corner of Birmingham City Football Club’s pitch to the other at a speed of nearly 30mph.

Who am I doing it for?
Diabetes UK is a charity working with and for people with diabetes. Supporting & funding research, campaigning, lobbying the government for better standards of care & the best quality of life and providing families & children with weekend breaks are just a small example of the work funded by Diabetes UK. Each year, Diabetes UK spends up to £6.5 million on research. Diabetes UK desperately needs more funding to be able to keep doing the amazing work they do. Diabetes UK is often a lifeline for new diabetics or parents of children diagnosed with diabetes (it certainly was for myself and my parents).

What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition where the hormone insulin (which enables to body to store carbohydrates & sugars) is either not produced (Type 1) or produced in insufficient amounts or the body is resistant to insulin (type 2). Type 1 diabetics control their diabetes by using insulin injections, which can involve between 2 and upwards of 8 injections a day (as well as many, many finger-prick blood tests). Type 2 diabetics control their diabetes using diet and exercise (and in some cases insulin).

Why am I doing this?
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes just before my 3rd birthday. Since then, Diabetes UK have supported myself and my family by providing family weekend holidays, keeping us updated with new research, sending us monthly magazines with all the latest news, and simply been there for us when we’ve needed advice and support. Having a child diagnosed with diabetes is a huge, and often overwhelming change, and I know for my parents that Diabetes UK helped them to adjust to my diabetes with ease. I can say from personal experience that it can be quite a challenge pinning a 3 year old child down to inject them twice a day!

How can you help?
Please help me to raise as much money as possible by sponsoring me for any amount you feel is okay, by donating your spare change and by spreading the word to everyone and anyone!

update, 1/3/08: thankyou to everyone and anyone who has looked at my page and donated. it means so much to me to be able to give this money to Diabetes UK, and to have your support.

update, 3/3/08: thankyou so much everyone! i've decided to aim to raise even more - keep spreading the word to anyone and everyone. you never know who is diabetic or who knows someone who is diabetic; this may be a great incentive for them to donate, so please keep spreading the word and help me help Diabetes UK!