Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.  I’d be very grateful if you would sponsor me for running (and maybe walking a bit!) in this year’s Flora London Marathon.  I’m running in support of my friend, Howard Oldstein, who lost his father, Len, last year, due to a diabetic related illness.  Howard, who has decided to dedicate this year to his father, has asked me to run with him in his endeavour to raise money for Diabetes UK, as he knows I am diabetic and that I have previous marathon running experience.

I am more than happy to support Howard, who is mindful of the possibility that he could inherit diabetes (his brother has already been diagnosed) and also raise money for Diabetes UK, as diabetes is hereditary in my family also.  My paternal grandfather had it and died as a result of it, my father has it, a cousin has it and has had to have both legs amputated, I have it and it is possible that my children, nephew and niece, sister, aunt and cousins may inherit it also.

Diabetes, which affects almost three million people of all ages in the UK, is a condition where the body can’t use glucose properly.  If untreated diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputations.  By taking part on 13 April 2008, I am helping to show that people with diabetes can participate in sport at all levels.  In fact, I can honestly say that having diabetes has never prevented me from doing anything that people without diabetes can do. 

I attribute this largely to Diabetes UK, who, as one of the biggest fundraisers of diabetes research in the UK, spending about £6 million on research every year, provides information to the health service, in order to help people with diabetes keep healthy and live life to the full.  Therefore, I should be so grateful if you would please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Diabetes UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.