I am honoured and extremely excited to have been invited by the type 1 diabetes charity JDRF (Junior Diabetes Research Foundation) to take part in the challenging ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro. I am fortunate to be able to take part in this immense undertaking and see it as a way of saying “thank you” for my good health thus far, having had Type 1 Diabetes for 58 years. 

My training began back in December and I have covered several hundred miles (as my wrecked, now replaced, walking boots will testify). Several of the 20 members taking part have met and trained together at various locations. Strong bonds of friendship have already been established through this training.

The severity of this challenge has become very apparent. For example;

• how to stop insulin from freezing and to keep blood testing meters working at temperatures, possibly as low as - 30deg C

• how to adjust insulin doses for prolonged strenuous activity, day after day

• how to judge how large the considerable quantities of glucose and snacks will need to be carried to prevent low blood sugars and hypoglycaemia

A decade ago I walked the 105 miles of the South Downs Way raising almost £9,000 for the Stephanie Marks Appeal.  This is a much bigger challenge and I aim once again to raise as much money as possible.  Please contribute as much as you are able to either online www.justgiving.com/PeteDavies54 or by donations in the collection box. My sincere thanks to you all!

With her family’s wholehearted support, I am dedicating my expedition to the memory of Stephanie Marks, a former student of at Sir William Perkins’s School (where I teach), who suffered from type 1 diabetes but tragically passed away in 2002 at the age of just 17 years.

Interesting Facts about Type 1 Diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, life-threatening condition which has a lifelong impact on those diagnosed & their families.  
  
• Unlike type 2 diabetes, it is certainly not linked to being overweight, lack of exercise or other lifestyle factors. 
  
• It can happen to anyone and it is not caused by anything they or their parents did or didn't do. 
  
• Type 1 diabetes happens because the body’s own immune system attacks cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. 
  
• It usually strikes in childhood and stays with people for the rest of their lives. 
  
• The threat of serious complications resulting, is always a real threat.