My daughter, Katie who is now 11 years old was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes 2½ years ago.  It’s often not until you’re affected, personally, with something as life-changing as this that you realise the implications and effects this can have on your life.

In the we are just starting to see the positive results from research, investment and funding undertaken some 20 years ago.  However we are still lagging behind other countries with probably the World leaders.  There are some 2.5 million people in the with Diabetes, with a further half a million people who have the condition but don't know it.  Diabetes, if not controlled, can lead to complications affecting your eyes, heart, kidneys, nerves and feet.

Having learnt more about Diabetes, following Katie’s diagnosis, I started to think of ways I might raise funds for the UK Diabetes Association for research into the disease.

Then I remembered that my Great Grandfather (Henry Williams) rode a "Penny Farthing" from to , so that got me thinking to has been done so why not to John O'Groats, 1,000 miles, can't be that bad!!!  Well, the Penny Farthing has long gone so I dragged my old bike out of the shed and the training begun in earnest.  Last June, as a warm-up, I cycled from to – some 300 miles in 4 days!  The "Big Ride" will take placeSeptember/October 2010 and will take 12 days.

I am appealing for any donations, all contributions will be gratefully received and will go directly to Diabetes for further research into this disease. 

Thanking you in anticipation.

Keith Dovey

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