Let me tell you a story about a girl.  Anett and I grew up together and she is my best-friend-cousin: we have been friends since she was 3 and I was 4, and we've been through much fun and a little trouble:) through the different stages of becoming the adults who we are at the moment. 

Anett was diagnosed with Diabetes 1 at the age of 5, which was an illness that was difficult to understand for me, and more challenging for her. I didn't understand why she could not have a bite from the same piece of cake, or drink the safe softdrink I was drinking, and why we can't just pop in for an ice cream to the patisserie on the way home. Back then in the 1980's buying food that was suitable for those with diabetes was a bit challenging.  

Luckily those times have passed, and amount of products available for people with diabates has significantly grown thanks to the research and development. The awareness of what this illness is, and how it can be maintained has also significantly grown in the last decade, thanks to the work of charities and organisations dealing with this subject.

But there is still much to do. That's why I have chosen to support Diabetes UK. The money that I will raise with your conribution will help them to fund further research of diabetes, and organise events for families, where there are kids like Anett, and help them learn how to live a full live together. 

Diabetes 1 is an illness that is still not curable, Diabetes 2 is an illness that can be avoided by healthy lifestyle, though in both cases, the genes that we carry are  thought to be very much responsible for being prone to this deficiency of our body not producing enough insuline to maintain a normal glucose level in blood. 

My father has since been diagnosed with diabates 2, and his mother, my grandma has passed away recently because of the side effects of the same illness.

So I have decided to take this challenge for them. As this is the year of the Dragon, which is the symbol of great fortune in Chinese Astrology, I have chosen to climb the Great wall of China. 48 kms, and over 59000 steps. 

This is a big physical challenge for me (why? see video:), and thank you for supporting me in raising the money for this cause.

And if you would like to follow my progress on getting prepared for this challenge, I have started a blog for you to read. 

Last but not least, as part of my fundraising activity I have started a Hungarian cooking school, so if'd like to share a nice meal, please don't hesitate to sign-up to one of our Meetups.

JustGiving sends your donation straight to Diabetes UK and automatically reclaims Gift Aid on all eligible donations, so what you give is worth even more.