Man takes on swimming challenge for Diabetes UK

LOCAL man, Neil Young, will be taking part in a sponsored swim at the end of the month to raise money for Diabetes UK.

Neil was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last summer and heard about Diabetes UK Swim22 challenge through its website.

The challenge is to swim the equivalent of the English Channel in your local pool in three months but already being a keen swimmer, Neil has decided to double the distance and swim 44 miles in the three months.

Neil said, “I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last year after a car accident. I was a walking casualty and whilst being in A&E, doctors were concerned with how high my blood pressure was. After a few months of tests, they found I had early stages of Type 2 diabetes.

“I don’t have to take any medication and for the time being it can be controlled by diet and exercise. I was told to lose 20kg so I started swimming. I had been an active swimmer when I was a teenager but life gets in the way, so I hadn’t swam in years; now I swim at least three or four times a week.

“I have no expectations of how much I’m going to raise, I’d appreciate any donations. I’d really like to raise awareness about living with diabetes and how it doesn’t have to drastically change your life. For me, it gave me a kick up the behind to lose weight and look at my eating, but apart from that, I’ve not had to change my lifestyle an awful lot.

“If I complete the 44 miles before the three months then I’ll keep going. Who knows, one day I might swim the actual English Channel!”

To sponsor Neil, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Neil-Young11