Local Councillor to run the Great North Run for Diabetes UK

A local Councillor is running the Great North Run on September 10th with his wife to raise much needed funds into diabetes support and research.

Pete Howell, Councillor for Gwersyllt South Ward, and his wife Alexis are raising money for Diabetes UK as they have friends with diabetes, and they both worked within the NHS helping to diagnose and treat the life changing complications of diabetic patients. Pete also worked for a Global Healthcare Company with a focus on diabetes.

Current estimates are that there are 940,000 people with diabetes in the UK that are still undiagnosed. By 2035, the prevalence of diabetes is expected to increase to 4.9 million; that is 9.7% of the UK population.

Pete said “I have seen at first hand how life changing a diagnosis of diabetes can be. Poor diabetic control can result in serious complications, such as kidney failure, retinopathy, amputation, heart attack, stroke, and nerve damage.

Essential research into the cause(s) of diabetes, and new treatments to improve control of blood glucose levels are ongoing, but the continued funding of such research is dependent on funding and fund raising; hence our reason for running the Great North Run along with 60,000 other runners.

Education for people about the symptoms of diabetes, and the seriousness if not treated properly are and essential part of the battle, and early diagnosis is an important criteria to minimise the effects of poor control over a period of time. Diabetes UK play a vital role in helping patients to live with the condition, as well as preventing type 2 diabetes via campaigns and support. Research will one day lead to a cure for diabetes, and the fight is on for a diabetes-free world eventually

If you can donate even a small amount, it will go towards helping people with diabetes, as well as towards research into diabetes, and hopefully a cure.

The link to make a donation is : https://greatnorthrun2023.enthuse.com/pf/peter-howell