Martial Arts group walk 60 miles in 16 hours for Diabetes UK

A FATHER whose three year old daughter was diagnosed with diabetes, walked 60 miles to raise awareness and funds.

Members of the Dragon Martial Arts group of Blaenau Ffestiniog, completed their sponsored walk, in aid of Diabetes UK, from Dolgellau to Barmouth along the Mawddach trail in 16 hours.

Three managed to go the distance, with six others reaching the 40 mile mark, raising £1,000.

The team chose to raise funds for Diabetes UK because Eric Williams, who runs the group with his brother Chris, has a daughter who suffers from type 1 diabetes.

Anna Lumley-Williams, aged nine, was diagnosed with the condition when she was only three years old.

She showed signs of the illness with extreme tiredness and thirst, which are key symptoms of diabetes.

Eric said: “It was pretty heavy. She was on drips and it was a really hard time.

“But the paediatric unit were amazing. By the next morning she was doing so well. The transformation was incredible.

“I wanted to raise money for Diabetes UK as I know the hell parents go through when their child is diagnosed with diabetes.”

Diabetes UK funds research into the condition and provides advice, support and information to people living with the condition across the UK.

The walk was difficult and tiring for the group, but they were delighted to shave two hours off their target time of 18 hours.

Eric said: “Some of the team have got really bad injuries, including knee injuries, and blisters are a sore point for everyone!

“We had lots of text messages and Facebook messages which came through all night.

“We would like to thank everyone who supported us as people have been really generous.”

To donate to the fund, log on to www.justgiving.com/DMA-60mile-walk.

For information about diabetes, call Diabetes UK Cymru on 029 2066 8276, email [email protected] or visit www.diabetes.org.uk/wales.