The summer after my son’s diagnosis, we’d gone on a family holiday to Ibiza and while splashing about in the swimming pool, I was having a moment to myself feeling useless over my son’s diagnosis, but the water reminded me that I read something about Swim22 on Diabetes UK’s website. I’ve always loved swimming since I was a toddler. I’m pretty rubbish at all sports and remember that I was picked last at school for any team, but I could always swim.

Having not swum on a regular basis for many years, I wondered if I could build up some fitness and be able to swim the 11-mile challenge initially. When I returned from the holiday, I decided to start training at my local swimming pool to see if I could build up some stamina for the challenge. A few months in I realised that if I kept it up, I could push myself to swim the equivalent of the whole English Channel – so I re-set my challenge to 22 miles!

"My family were right behind me and encouraged me to go ahead so I contacted Diabetes UK to get a fundraiser pack and started to collect sponsors. It was a really easy process and the team on the phone at Diabetes UK were so friendly and helpful."

I’m not on social media myself, so I decided to send my fundraising page on WhatsApp to essentially everyone in my phone address list. It took some time, but I was really excited to be doing something to help support the charity and raise awareness. I think reaching out to everyone individually was a great way to raise funds. I’m so grateful to all my lovely family and friends for their fabulous generosity – I feel very humbled.

The journey

I decided to swim one mile each time and surprised myself by completing the challenge in six and a half weeks. 

"I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and on a personal level – I felt fitter, more supple and was sleeping better too."

Each time I stepped into the swimming pool, I would kick off the side for my first length of the morning and would repeat the mission statement in my head to spur me on.

I enjoyed ticking each mile on my fundraising chart, which I put up in my kitchen and also on my personal fundraising page. I received a great medal, a tote bag and a gorgeous swim towel along the way when I reached particular milestones with my fundraising. Since completing the challenge, my mum has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 81. For me, all the more reason for raising funds for the vital research into treatments and more for all people affected by diabetes.

"If anyone is considering taking part in the next Swim22, I would say, please, please do – set yourself a challenge and make a difference. Get all your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours involved. You can surprise yourself by what you can achieve and also be so amazed at people’s generosity."

If I were to describe the challenge in three words, it would be exciting, positive and hopeful – it’s something special to be involved in a challenge like this that’s fuelling research, therapies and a possible cure for diabetes in the future, and much more. 

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Reach out for support

If you are affected by the topics highlighted within this story or other stories on our website, you can access support from our helpline team on 0345 122 2399, Mon- Fri, 9am- 6pm, or email helpline@diabetes.org.uk.

You can join our free forum – to connect with others affected by diabetes (minimum age 13). For more information, see our forum FAQs.

For those aged 11-25 living with type 1 diabetes, check out our youth programme Together Type 1 for a supportive community of people who understand what it’s really like juggling the ups and downs of life with diabetes.
 

I’m not the most active person, but I do love a good walk and that’s why the Wellness Walk in Manchester caught my eye. My husband and I took part in charity walks when we first met, so seeing one pop up on social media that’s in one of my favourite cities and for a charity that’s so close to my heart? I had to sign up. The minute I knew my husband had the day off work and I knew whether I was signing up for one person or two, I was straight onto the website entering my details.

When I was a lot younger, my mum did a walk for Diabetes UK. I lost her a few years ago so, it was lovely to do this in her memory, and in thanks for all she did for me. We could feel her right by our sides as we took on the walk. It was everything I anticipated - a great opportunity to enjoy the fresh air, get some exercise, and - most importantly - talk my poor husband's ear off. The whole thing was really well organised. Even I didn't get lost (which is really saying something, trust me), and the masseuse at the end of the walk was nothing short of a lifesaver! Having said that, I was very happy to head home, where the husband and I tucked into a nice takeaway and a hot cup of tea! We can't wait to take part again next year. 

"The presence of Diabetes UK (or the BDA, as it was when I was diagnosed) made my parents’ lives so much easier as they adjusted to raising children with diabetes. Diabetes UK is a fantastic organisation that actively changes lives every single day. I couldn’t have been prouder to walk for the charity."

Reach out for support

If you are affected by the topics highlighted within this story or other stories on our website, you can access support from our helpline team on 0345 122 2399, Mon- Fri, 9am- 6pm, or email helpline@diabetes.org.uk.

You can join our free Support Forum – to connect with others affected by diabetes (minimum age 13). For more information, see Forum FAQs.

For those aged 11-25 living with type 1 diabetes, check out our youth programme Together Type 1 for a supportive community of people who understand what it’s really like juggling the ups and downs of life with diabetes.

I absolutely love taking part in the One Million Step Challenge – this will be my 5th year doing the challenge, and I just can’t wait to get going. I first got involved a few years ago, and my motivation back then was my Mum, who had type 2 diabetes for a number of years – I saw firsthand the difficulties she had with managing her diabetes.

Then, totally by coincidence, I went to my doctor with symptoms of menopause and along with other investigations, I had my blood sugar levels checked. I was told that my sugar level was higher than normal, and I had prediabetes.

So, knowing what my Mum had gone through with her diabetes, I decided to do something about my situation, and I saw the One Million Step Challenge advertised on Facebook.

Getting started

So I thought, I’ll give that a go, and I will admit, at the beginning, I did have a few doubts about whether I could do the challenge. But I persevered, and I’ve always loved walking, even as a child, so it felt a very natural thing to do – that was my starting point, and it just progressed from there.

I felt inspired and realised that doing the step challenge wasn’t that difficult for me, and I soon found different ways of achieving my steps throughout the day. I don’t like being stuck indoors or sitting around, and after a while, I developed the ‘walking bug’ and was keen to do some walking at any opportunity.

I have a pedometer clipped on when I’m walking – that tracks my progress, and then I enter my daily step count manually. I’m old school, and that works for me.

Keeping up momentum

I’m always on the go and do a lot of walking up and down stairs in my job at a theatre in Newcastle. As part of the challenge, I started walking home, which is a good 4-mile distance, and I’d then walk a bit more when I got home. I began gradually and built up my steps as I wanted to avoid causing myself any injuries. I thought walking around 10,000 steps a day would work for me.

"I have lots of family support, and my Dad is just amazed that I can do all that walking. He tells everyone about my step challenge, and so I know he’s dead proud; they’re all very proud of me for doing it."

It's really important to remember that even though you’re trying to raise funds, it's also about taking part and raising awareness, and if you raise money too, that’s a bonus. You’re changing people's lives by taking part.

I have felt the benefits of walking, and I’ve been able to lose some weight. One year, I documented my weight at the beginning of the challenge and then halfway through, and then at the end, I was amazed by my transformation. I posted some before and after photos on Facebook – it was clear to see the difference walking had made, and I was quite proud of myself for achieving that.

My 5th challenge

This will be my 5th time taking part in the One Million Step Challenge, and it's my joy of walking that makes me come back each year, which has helped immensely with my general wellbeing and losing some weight has been a bonus for me and my health. The challenge gets me out of the house, and I’m able to enjoy the fresh air and meet people along the way. I also know that I’m raising awareness for a good cause, especially knowing what my Mum has gone through, as well as other family members who have diabetes too.

I turned 50 this year, a special year for me – I’ve gained more confidence, I have more energy, I sleep better, and I’ve made some really good friends, so I can't wait for the challenge to start.

Reaching my goals is an achievement for me and makes me feel really proud that I can do something like the One Million Step Challenge. My blood results are now normal, and I no longer have prediabetes. The steps challenge has given me the extra drive to do other things, and I feel a great sense of satisfaction. It’s especially nice to get that vote of confidence from the Facebook group with everyone saying well done and keep going, and so we all motivate each other.

My top tips

My top tip for anyone attempting the challenge, which might seem obvious, is to wear comfortable shoes, or your feet will really suffer. Also, do your steps at your pace - it's not a race, and it’s not about competing against anyone, so just take your time and go at a pace that works for you.

"Remember to have fun, be safe, but enjoy it and just set achievable goals around how many steps you can do in a day. Try not to push yourself too far too soon, or you could burn out."

Also, it really helps to get family and friends involved. One year, my husband and I went out walking in fancy dress to raise some money for the challenge. I was dressed as a Teddy bear, and he was Fred Flintstone. We certainly got people’s attention and raised awareness about diabetes. It was all good fun.

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. The Facebook group is very supportive, so if you’re really struggling, reach out and ask for some help - they’re a really nice group of people.

Words of wisdom

I would say remember why you’re doing it. It's about taking part and raising awareness - raising funds too. But don’t be too hard on yourself as essentially, it's about highlighting the effects of diabetes and making more people aware of the condition.

Would you like to take on the One Million Step Challenge?

Find out more and register

Reach out for support

If you are affected by the topics highlighted within this story or other stories on our website, you can access support from our helpline team on 0345 122 2399, Mon- Fri, 9am- 6pm, or email helpline@diabetes.org.uk.

You can join our free Support Forum – to connect with others affected by diabetes (minimum age 13). For more information, see Forum FAQs.

For those aged 11-25 living with type 1 diabetes, check out our youth programme Together Type 1 for a supportive community of people who understand what it’s really like juggling the ups and downs of life with diabetes.

I take a lot of exercise and I eat properly. I'm 91 but my latest body track scan tells me my metabolic age is 75. So I was able to do the London Bridges walk non-stop and stay a happy man with no ill effects! 

My principal career was in the army. I was a soldier for 33 years, so quite a lot of that was keeping fit and it just carried on after I’d retired and through the rest of my life. 

I play golf three times a week and usually I’m at the gym the other two mornings, and that all helps. I do my own cooking. I eat fresh meat, chicken, and fish and lots of veg and fruit. I rarely eat red meat. Processed food rarely crosses my threshold because I enjoy cooking and the food I eat.    

"Although I’m still grieving very deeply, I don’t have problems at all with my emotional health. Jane would have been quite overwhelmed by my doing the walk and raising money."

It was quite easy. I emailed the fundraising link for this walk to selected friends and acquaintances – explained what I was doing and they all responded magnificently.

In just a couple of weeks’ time, I’ll be tackling the 100-mile cycle around Lough Neagh – while it is such a significant challenge, it’s not my first lap and certainly won’t be my last! This concept all started quite some time ago as a way for me to support my wife’s line dancing class, Brookmount Dance Ranch, in their endeavour to raise funds for local charities. This is my first time back at the challenge since Covid, and it is made all the more special by the fact that it also happens to be my 60th birthday!