Diabetic cyclist completes 10,000 mile charity ride from China

Howard Lake | 21 April 2006 | Newswire

At midday this Saturday, 22 April 2006, diabetic cyclist Andy Clapperton, 26, and Jon Smith, 25, will cycle over Tower Bridge in London at the end of an epic fundraising trek. This event will see the pair greeted by friends, family and media at the end of a nine-month journey which has so far raised over £6,500 for Diabetes UK’s research fund.
In completing the gruelling journey, Andy, demonstrates that diabetes should not be a hindrance to participation in physical activities. Andy is a type 1 diabetic who has had to inject himself with insulin daily since he was diagnosed aged 14.
A Diabetes UK spokesperson commented “This really is a truly astounding feat. Both Andy and Jon are a real inspiration. I’d like to congratulate them both on completing the challenge. Diabetes UK really appreciate the support we get from such individuals who raise vital money to fund diabetes research and projects.”
Andy grew up in Bunbury, near Chester, and attended the nearby Grange School, where he developed a love of languages. After A-level success, Andy took a place at the University of Cambridge to read Modern Languages, where he met Jon.
Since graduating, the pair taught English at universities in Beijing. When their visas expired, rather than returning by plane the pair decided to embark on their ambitious cycle ride. They quickly made arrangements and headed on a route through Asia, the Middle East and Europe, spending Christmas in Uzbekistan.
Their journey has already attracted interest from Time Out Beijing, as well as the British Media; friends and family have been kept in touch via the blog on their website.
To support Diabetes UK by sponsoring Andy & Jon visit this website
Further information, photos, more detailed biographies, and blogs are available www.cyclehome.net;

INFORMATION ABOUT DIABETES & Diabetes UK
1 Diabetes is a condition where the body can’t use glucose (sugar) properly. If untreated diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputations. There are two forms of diabetes: Type 1 normally develops in younger people, Type 2 largely affects people over the age of 40 and is the most prevalent form of the condition.
2 Diabetes UK is the charity for people with diabetes. With nearly 200,000 members it is the largest patient body in Europe and the biggest funder of diabetes research in the UK, spending about £5 million on research every year. Sir Steven Redgrave is an Honorary Vice President of Diabetes UK.
3 Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes, develops if the body is unable to produce any insulin. This type of diabetes usually appears before the age of 40. Type 1 diabetes is treated by insulin injections and diet.
Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes, develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance). This type of diabetes usually appears in people over the age of 40. High-risk groups include people of South Asian and African-Caribbean origin, and people who have a close relative with the condition. Weight is also a factor in Type 2 diabetes – over 80 per cent of people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. Type 2 diabetes is treated by diet and exercise alone, or by diet and tablets, or sometimes, by diet and insulin injections.
4 People with diabetes planning to take part in endurance sports events should talk to their healthcare professional first. They need to carefully monitor blood glucose levels and eat some starchy carbohydrate beforehand, and balance medication and food with activity while taking part, as well as making sure to keep up their fluid intake.

About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale. He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.