500-mile ride for diabetes research

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A TEAM of cyclists from HSBC Bank has set out on a 500-mile tour of Wales to raise funds for diabetes research and information.

The eight-day trek which started at Cardiff Bay yesterday will take the four cyclists to Caernarfon and back again, via Newtown, Llandudno, Aberystwyth and other towns.

The trip is expected to raise up to £15,000 which will be used to support Diabetes UK’s work in Wales and elsewhere.

Among the projects that will be funded will be one to raise awareness in Wales of the dangers of late diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes in children.

Based on work already done in Italy and Australia, this campaign will make healthcare professionals and others caring for children more aware of the signs of untreated diabetes, and could save many children from life threatening complications.

Iwan Jones, HSBC’s regional commercial director for Wales and one of the team of cyclists, hails from the Ffestiniog area. He said: “We are very happy to be working with Diabetes UK Cymru to give people with diabetes in Wales the information and support they need to manage the condition.”

Around 130,000 people in Wales have been diagnosed with diabetes and another 40,000 may have the condition but not be aware of it.

The other main cyclists on the ride with Mr Jones are Phil Sargeant, Paul Williams and Paul Blud.