A STUDENT who lives in Warrington, will be tackling the Simply Health Great North Run on Sunday 9th September for Diabetes UK in memory of his mum.
Will Evans, 19, from Mytholmroyd in West Yorkshire, is taking on his first half marathon after losing his mum, Sharon, in October 2017. She lived with Type 1 diabetes for 50 years having been diagnosed when she was 9 years-old and passed away as a result of diabetes-related lung disease.
Will, who has just finished his first year of a sports coaching and development degree at the University of Chester in Warrington said: “Mum often found it incredibly hard to manage her diabetes, which meant that she didn’t always have good control of her blood glucose levels which led to complications. I saw first-hand how difficult diabetes can be and want to help support others.”
Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. Type 1 diabetes is treated with daily insulin injections. If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including lower limb amputation, kidney failure and stroke.
Will, will be joined by his friend Matthew Murray, 19, who is also taking part in the race for Diabetes UK. The run will be the longest Will has done, having already taken part in local events including the Stoodley Pike Fell Race.
Will adds: “I’m looking forward to the challenge and I hope that I can help raise some awareness. Mum used to try and reach out to other people with diabetes and I think it’s really important that people with the condition get the support they need. I hope that by supporting Diabetes UK I can help make a difference to the lives of others.”
Officially the world’s biggest half marathon, the race will see over 50,000 runners take on the 13.1 mile route and absorb views of some of the North East’s most iconic landmarks including the Tyne Bridge and The Sage taking runners from Newcastle City Centre to the coast in South Shields.
Tyler Anderson, Diabetes UK Regional Fundraiser, said: “We’re really grateful to Will for taking on this challenge for us. The money raised will help fund ground-breaking research, care services and campaigns to change the lives of people with diabetes and their families and create a world where diabetes can do no harm.”
To support Will visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/will-evans9
To find out more about taking part in the Great North Run for Diabetes UK visit: www.diabetes.org.uk/Great-North-Run
