Boosting funds for Diabetes UK

Carole teamed up with her daughter-in-law Rachel and Louise Wildish, a retired 3M employee, to take part in the challenge organised by Diabetes UK and between them they have raised more than £2,000.

Says Carole: “Louise has been living with insulin-dependant type 1 diabetes for 18 years and last year we got the devastating news that my seven-year-old granddaughter, Freya, had also been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I have been told that I am borderline for type 2 diabetes and as a result have been taking part in a pilot health programme to try to prevent this developing.

“This means that all three of us have been touched by the life-changing condition and shows that it can affect people of all ages. We chose to take part in the challenge to not only raise money for Diabetes UK, but to raise awareness of this condition that is the UK’s fastest growing health crisis.

“Freya has had fantastic support from the NHS and the charity and she is coping well with learning to inject herself with insulin. We wanted to take part in the London Bridges Challenge to give something back and trained hard for the event.”

The walk started in Battersea Park and finished by Tower Bridge and took in 12 iconic London bridges including the Albert, Hungerford, Waterloo and the Millennium.

Carole adds: “The atmosphere in London was uplifting and got us off to a good start. We did slow down mid-way and took the time to take in the sights. We had sore feet at the end of the four-hour walk, but it was well worth it when we were greeted by Freya who was waiting with her dad, and my son, Bradley to congratulate us.”

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