Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I've always wanted to take part in the London marathon and this year felt like the right time.

I'm raising money for Diabetes UK as my dad suffers from Diabetes. My grandfather and uncle also suffered with diabetes.  The help this charity gives sufferers is invaluable. Please take the time to read this page and donate whatever you can to this cause.

There are 3.9 million people living with diabetes in the UK. That's more than one in 16 people in the UK who has diabetes (diagnosed or undiagnosed). This figure has more than doubled since 1996, when there were 1.4 million. By 2025, it is estimated that five million people will have diabetes in the UK.

According to Diabetes UK, around 700 people a day are diagnosed with diabetes. That’s the equivalent of one person every two minutes.

There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes – this is when the body can't produce any insulin. This type of diabetes usually occurs before the age of 40 and accounts for only around 10% of all cases. It's the most common form of childhood diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes – this is when the body either doesn't make enough insulin, or the body becomes resistant to insulin, so it doesn't work properly. It's the most common form of diabetes, accounting for around 90% of cases. It's frequently linked with being overweight. 

Both forms of diabetes are life-long conditions that have potentially serious consequences. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, nerve damage and blindness.

Diabetes is the most common cause of visual impairment and blindness among people of working age. It is also the most common cause of kidney failure and non-traumatic lower limb amputations. 

People with diabetes are up to five times more likely to have heart disease and stroke, compared to those without diabetes.

Thank you for your support

Chris