A 24-year-old Paramedic from Bristol took on an epic fundraising challenge on World Diabetes Day (14th November) to raise money for us.
Megan Wiltshire was motivated to raise money and awareness after her brother Max was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes four years ago.
Megan completed the challenge (the equivalent of 2.5 marathons) in 14 hours. As a way of keeping herself motivated, she looked at it as though it was ten 10km runs – with a hat change every time she completed 10km. During the day she took on 2,700 feet of elevation and endured torrential rain for the majority of the day.
A type 1 diabetes diagnosis
Talking about Max's type 1 diabetes diagnosis, Megan said: “When Max was first diagnosed it was a really difficult thing for our family to adapt to, and another thing for our mum to worry about.
"People often think if you have diabetes you just can’t eat sugar, but it’s actually about managing your blood sugar levels, to make sure they don’t go too high or too low. It’s such a difficult condition to manage. It was a huge learning curve for us all.
“We’re such an active family and regularly ski together, both on water and snow! It was really important to us that we were still able to do these kinds of activities together, but it definitely took a period of adjustment for us to get used to Max’s diabetes management.”
Raising awareness and money
Megan started her 100km run in Portishead, made her way to Clevedon, then headed on to Chew Magna, Saltford and then the centre of Bristol before running back to Portishead.
A group of Megan’s friends, and her brother Max, cycled alongside her for the whole 100km.
Megan said: “I’ve been raising awareness and money for Diabetes UK ever since Max got his diagnosis. This year marks 100 years since Frederick Banting and John Macleod were awarded a Nobel Prize in recognition of their discovery of insulin, so I thought there was no better time to run 100km!
“It was an amazing experience and I absolutely couldn’t have done it without the support of my friends, and brother Max, who cycled the 100km alongside me, providing me with music and motivation along the whole route. I hope that this run has helped to start conversations about diabetes and what it means for people who live day, in day out, with the condition.”
Megan’s brother Max said: “Megan has made our whole family so proud and it was amazing to cycle the route alongside her. I try not to let my diabetes dictate what I can and can’t do, so I hope this shows others living with the condition that you can still do all the things you love.”
“I’m over the moon to have completed the run and I’m so grateful to everyone who has donated and helped raise over £4,000 for Diabetes UK.”
Phaedra Perry, our Head of South West & South Central, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Megan for taking on this amazing challenge. At Diabetes UK we’re leading the fight against the biggest growing health crisis and working tirelessly to develop new treatments – and one day, find a cure. But we can’t do it alone.
"The support of fundraisers like Megan is vital, and every penny she raises will goes towards Diabetes UK care and support services, advice and guidance and pioneering research.”
It's not too late to donate to Megan’s fundraiser
