Natalie Sweet
Natalie and Joanna's
Fundraising for Diabetes UK
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Please take time to read what our challenge involves and why we are doing it! X
The Lake District 5 Peaks Challenge will take place from the 1st to the 2nd September 2017 in aid of Diabetes UK.
It will cover 14 miles and tackles 5 of England's most demanding peaks including The mighty Scafell Pike. We will be climbing over 3000 feet crossing crags and moorland past the Langdale Pikes towards Scafell. We will be starting from Old Dungeon Gill after spending the night in a youth hostel and eating a hearty breakfast. We will climb Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell, Esk Pike, Great End and Scafell!!!
This challenge is in memory of Peter Sweet, aka Pete. He was a wonderful Dad to his daughters, Joanna and Natalie and had a fantastic smile who meant a lot to many people. He was married to Marilyn with whom he would have celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary in July 2016. Sadly, in April 2016, he passed away from complications from diabetes and a severe infection (sepsis).
Peter was a teacher at Turton High School for many years before retiring for health reasons. He continued to play a big part in the Arabian Horse Show scene in the UK as well as the North West Point to Point season, taking photographs and supporting Marilyn with her combined passion of horses and photography for over 40 years!
Vivienne and I were hoping to join the Sweet girls to complete this challenge as not only did we know Pete well and for many years but I also have diabetes. Unfortunate due to circumstances beyond my control, we (my mother and I) can no longer take part this year but hope to complete it next year! Good luck Natalie and Joanna xx
Diabetes is complicated. Broadly diabetes can be split into Types 1 and 2. I have Type 1 and Pete had Type 2. The way of medicating each illness can be different but the complications it causes to your life are comparable.
When I was diagnosed with Type 1, it came as a huge shock. Too much sugar in my blood?? Well, I certainly didn’t put it there. Unfortunately my genes had caused me to develop Type 1 in my early twenties. From then I have been on a variety of medications; most life-effecting was having to take anywhere between 4-8 injections of insulin per day. Trying to maintain good blood sugar levels takes a lot of work and commitment, each and every single day. The worst bit for me is suffering from hypos. This is when my blood sugar is too low and I feel extremely faint, and basically like I’m about to pass out. I have to take hypo treatment, often glucose tablets, to raise my blood sugar as quickly as possible. This is particularly unpleasant at 3am when both my husband and dog are wondering why we’re awake at that particular hour. The other part of all this is that my immune system doesn’t stand up to the rigours of daily life the way a non-diabetic’s does. A common cold takes me at least a week longer than most to get over.
But, this isn’t a moan or complaint. After a lot of hard work and negotiations with my diabetic team, I now have an insulin pump. This has changed my life significantly for the better. One of my main motivations for undertaking this challenge is to raise awareness of both types of diabetes. I also hope that charitable initiatives such as this one will lead to more people having access to insulin pumps and eventually the bringing about of a cure. Fingers crossed.
I am doing this challenge with my family and friends to show that a Type 1 diabetic can do everything that a non-diabetic can do. I may just need to pack an extra orange juice carton or two.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
The Lake District 5 Peaks Challenge will take place from the 1st to the 2nd September 2017 in aid of Diabetes UK.
It will cover 14 miles and tackles 5 of England's most demanding peaks including The mighty Scafell Pike. We will be climbing over 3000 feet crossing crags and moorland past the Langdale Pikes towards Scafell. We will be starting from Old Dungeon Gill after spending the night in a youth hostel and eating a hearty breakfast. We will climb Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell, Esk Pike, Great End and Scafell!!!
This challenge is in memory of Peter Sweet, aka Pete. He was a wonderful Dad to his daughters, Joanna and Natalie and had a fantastic smile who meant a lot to many people. He was married to Marilyn with whom he would have celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary in July 2016. Sadly, in April 2016, he passed away from complications from diabetes and a severe infection (sepsis).
Peter was a teacher at Turton High School for many years before retiring for health reasons. He continued to play a big part in the Arabian Horse Show scene in the UK as well as the North West Point to Point season, taking photographs and supporting Marilyn with her combined passion of horses and photography for over 40 years!
Vivienne and I were hoping to join the Sweet girls to complete this challenge as not only did we know Pete well and for many years but I also have diabetes. Unfortunate due to circumstances beyond my control, we (my mother and I) can no longer take part this year but hope to complete it next year! Good luck Natalie and Joanna xx
Diabetes is complicated. Broadly diabetes can be split into Types 1 and 2. I have Type 1 and Pete had Type 2. The way of medicating each illness can be different but the complications it causes to your life are comparable.
When I was diagnosed with Type 1, it came as a huge shock. Too much sugar in my blood?? Well, I certainly didn’t put it there. Unfortunately my genes had caused me to develop Type 1 in my early twenties. From then I have been on a variety of medications; most life-effecting was having to take anywhere between 4-8 injections of insulin per day. Trying to maintain good blood sugar levels takes a lot of work and commitment, each and every single day. The worst bit for me is suffering from hypos. This is when my blood sugar is too low and I feel extremely faint, and basically like I’m about to pass out. I have to take hypo treatment, often glucose tablets, to raise my blood sugar as quickly as possible. This is particularly unpleasant at 3am when both my husband and dog are wondering why we’re awake at that particular hour. The other part of all this is that my immune system doesn’t stand up to the rigours of daily life the way a non-diabetic’s does. A common cold takes me at least a week longer than most to get over.
But, this isn’t a moan or complaint. After a lot of hard work and negotiations with my diabetic team, I now have an insulin pump. This has changed my life significantly for the better. One of my main motivations for undertaking this challenge is to raise awareness of both types of diabetes. I also hope that charitable initiatives such as this one will lead to more people having access to insulin pumps and eventually the bringing about of a cure. Fingers crossed.
I am doing this challenge with my family and friends to show that a Type 1 diabetic can do everything that a non-diabetic can do. I may just need to pack an extra orange juice carton or two.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.