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