Cumbrian pensioner to lead vintage tractors across notorious Morecambe Bay for Diabetes UK
The first ever convoy of vintage Massey Ferguson tractors will cross the hazardous sands of Morecambe Bay, between Cumbria and Lancashire, to raise money for Diabetes UK on Sunday, 2 June 2013.
Bob Dickman, 81, from Bampton, Cumbria is looking for Massey Ferguson enthusiasts to join him on the route. Thirteen vintage tractors are signed up so far and up to twenty tractors are able to join the fully guided, sponsored, seventeen mile return drive. Mr Dickman himself will be driving a 1954 fully reconditioned, Grey Ferguson TEF 20 tractor.
He said: “A similar crossing was successfully undertaken by Land Rovers some years ago, but this would be the first time such a crossing will be undertaken by tractors. Massey Ferguson is a massive part of Cumbria’s heritage, the tractors were enormously popular from the 1950s onwards, and are still in use today, plus Massey Ferguson is part of my own, personal history, I worked for the company for over 40 years.
“I know that Diabetes UK has a strong track record in supporting life-changing research and I felt strongly that I wanted to raise money for the charity after seeing the impact that diabetes has had on family and friend’s lives.”
Money raised from the convoy will go to a Diabetes UK, Type 1 diabetes research project conducted by Kings College, London.
Kate McKie, Diabetes UK, Regional Fundraising Manager North West, said: “This is such an inspiring initiative from Mr Dickman to raise much needed money for research into Type 1 diabetes. I think this will be a very memorable day for anyone who takes part or goes along to watch the convoy cross the notorious sands of Morecambe Bay.”
At low tide, which occurs at 1.45pm on the 2 June, Morecambe Bay exposes 120sq miles of sand flats, and the Bay, which cuts into the North West coastline, is the largest continual intertidal area of Britain and is fed by five fresh water rivers.
Steve Morris, organiser of the Flookburgh Steam Gathering, who lives with Type 1 diabetes and a key organiser in the tractor convoy, worked closely with Alan Sledmore, and two other official Morecambe Bay guides, to ensure the safest route across the bay and pinpoint the best time and date, according to the Bay’s tides and sand conditions.
The guided crossing, which will start and finish at Cark Airfield, near Flookburgh and head south east across the Bay to Hest Bank, is expected to take three to four hours, with the tractors driving through River Kent, which will be knee deep at low tide and one of the most hazardous parts of the crossing.
Anyone interested in joining, sponsoring or watching the event can visit www.justgiving.com/bobdickmanMF-fergusontractorroadrun, or contact Mr Dickman on 01931 713106, or email, bobdickman@btinternet.com.
Further information on Diabetes UK research can be found at: www.diabetes.org.uk/Research.
Ribble Valley sponsored walk in memory of Fiona, 23, who died of diabetes complications
The family of Fiona Marie Watson, the 23-year-old from Langho, Blackburn, who died of diabetes complications in January, have organised a 10km sponsored walk through milestones of her life on 20th April.
Fiona lived with diabetes from 13 months, the youngest person at that time in the local area to be diagnosed with diabetes. The initial diagnosis devastated the family but they adapted their lifestyles and managed blood sugar readings and twice daily insulin injections until Fiona was 20 and able to manage her condition herself.
Chris Watson, 52, Fiona’s father, said: “Fiona lived an active and adventurous life, doing things that most people would not even dream of, such as skydiving, rock climbing and backpacking around Australia. We have chosen this walk because it passes places that were important in Fiona’s life, her schools, where she worked and the church where she was baptized and started her life’s journey.
“Our daughter was taken from us by this dreadful condition despite us doing everything by the book and looking after her properly. The best advice I can give is not to become complacent, because diabetes can happen to anybody, at any age. Our princess, Fiona, had a beautiful smile and a thirst for adventure, she will never be forgotten.”
The sponsored walk route runs from 1pm, the Knowles Arms, Langho to Clitheroe. For more information contact Chris Watson at fionaswalk2013@gmail.com, or, to sponsor the walk visit www.justgiving.com/Fiona-Marie-Watson
Any parents of children living with diabetes can visit: www.diabetes.org.uk/Information-for-parents/
and young people living with diabetes can visit: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/MyLife-YoungAdults
Diabetes UK sets new World Record
Diabetes Week started with a bang on 11 June as Diabetes UK officially became Guinness World Record holders.
Armed with tape measures, Diabetes UK staff and volunteers descended on London’s Southbank with one goal in sight – to measure as many people’s waists as possible. Despite the unpleasant weather they succeeded, measuring a total of 556 waists throughout the day.
Three volunteers from the North West travelled to support the event and despite the very wet weather thoroughly enjoyed the day. Ashley Spires said “It was great to be part of a World Record Event for Diabetes UK. It was a brilliant day and despite the rain I really enjoyed it.”
The record marked the start of Diabetes Week, and the launch of the Healthy Lifestyle Roadshow funded through a partnership with Bupa. Five Bupa Roadshows will be held in the North West region visiting Lancaster, Carlisle, Liverpool, Manchester and Salford. If you would like to volunteer then please contact Jessica Graham, Volunteer Development Support Officer at n.westvolunteering@diabetes.org.uk
Diabetes UK North West team Dash for Diabetes
On Sunday 5 December, the Warrington-based Diabetes UK North West team took part in this year’s Liverpool 5k Santa Dash. The team like 7,000 others donned their Santa suits and hit the city streets of Liverpool in freezing cold temperature and rain. Their spirits were not dampened however, and the whole team completed the 5K dash for diabetes in very respectable times.
Rachael Goodwin, North West Regional Fundraising Manager said, “We support fundraisers at the event each year, but this time we decided as a team to get involved and do our bit to raise funds for diabetes research.
"We were thrilled to be showing our support by running in the event this year with 20 other Santas who dashed for diabetes. Every penny raised will help us fund vital research into the causes, complications and, hopefully one day, a cure for diabetes. We would like to say a big thank you to our kind supporters who signed up to dash for diabetes and have been raising vital funds through sponsorship. We hope they enjoyed the day as much as we did.”
Jo Cunnah, North West Volunteer Development Officer, said: “I was so excited to be taking part in the Santa Dash this year. Fundraising is vital to maintain the support we give to people with diabetes in the North West so I was really pleased the team has decided to run this year. It was a great laugh for a really important cause.” The Team is hoping to raise over £1,000 for diabetes research and can’t wait to do it again next year!
Diabetes UK North West Team - Sporting their Santa Dash medals.
Pat Winnington - Charity Art Auction
11 November 2010
Pat Winnington and buyer
A charity auction of original paintings by Pat Winnington took place on 12 October at The Gallery At Bank Quay House, raising nearly £400 for Diabetes UK.
Thank you to all those who came along on the evening and to those who placed silent bids. If you missed out on the night, you still have the opportunity to purchase one of Pat's paintings, as the unsold works will be available as part of an online auction.
Galleries of the paintings can be found on the museum's Facebook page and also their Flickr page. All the paintings are framed to a high professional standard.
To place a bid please phone 01925 442396 or email museum@warrington.gov.uk, leaving the name and number of the painting(s) you're interested in and how much you would like to bid. Please provide your contact details so you can be contacted if your bid is successful.
King Street, Leigh, 1916
All proceeds will go to Diabetes UK and will help to raise vital funds for research to investigate the causes and prevention of diabetes, to improve care and treatment of diabetes and ultimately to work towards a cure.
We would like to pass on our huge thanks to those who purchased work and especially to Pat for donating her work to the auction.
Also a special thank you to Malcolm Kindon, master of ceremonies, who did an excellent job of encouraging the audience to part with their money.
Visit the Warrington Museum and Art Gallery Facebook page.
Visit the Pat Winnington Charity Art Auction Flickr page.
Withdrawal of Reciprocal Health Agreement between UK and Isle of Man
16 March 2010
From 1 April 2010 the UK Government is withdrawing from the ‘Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement’ with the Isle of Man.
This means that Isle of Man residents visiting the UK may be expected to pay for the cost of some of the emergency healthcare provided to them.
According to an information leaflet from the Isle of Man Government (February 2010) this "does not affect those patients referred for treatment to the UK by the Isle of Man Health Service. The Isle of Man Government strongly recommends that individuals take out insurance before travelling to the UK".
These changes will also affect many people travelling to the Isle of Man from the UK after 1 April.
Diabetes UK recommends people to double check with their holiday company, Isle Of Man DHSS, or travel insurance before they travel.
Further information
For further details please contact Isle of Man DHSS:
Tel: 01624 642608
Website: http://www.gov.im?dhss/health
Email: healthservices.dhss@gov.im.