Diabetes UK offer their runners so much help leading up to the marathon. We had access to nutritional information and dietitians to help us. We had training days where we could go to their headquarters in London and have personal trainers help with our training. 

There were also Facebook groups specifically for Diabetes UK runners and fundraisers and the community spirit on there was incredible. We all shared our Strava data, which helped keep me motivated because the feeling of competition would encourage me to go out and train. 

All those things combined were really great. You really felt part of a team, even though running the marathon is a solo thing. And seeing everyone in their Diabetes UK tops on the day was great. If we saw someone in a Diabetes UK top, we’d yell encouragement and others would do the same for us. It was really great. 

We were the top fundraisers that year. You aim to raise £1800 each, and we raised just over £5,000 in total. 

I’m already swimming, I enjoy it very much and it helps my spinal health as I have a back condition. I believe that I can do the challenge as I swim twice a week at my local pool. Each year I set myself goals to work towards. Last year was swimming in lochs and climbing Munros (Scottish mountains that are over 3,000 ft) and swimming with my wee dog Lexie! (That was number 1 on my bucket list). This year, I want to swim Loch Ard, my favourite place.  My father loved the outdoors and would have loved Loch Ard.

If you’re thinking of taking part in Swim22 go for it! Set yourself small goals, not only is this good for your physical health it is also good for your mental health. Don’t be down if you don’t reach 22 miles, it’s the trying that is more important.

I’m taking part because of my dad.  My wonderful father, my hero. He was so important to a lot of people and he never gave up.  All the challenges he faced through diabetes, he faced head on. He was an exceptional man and dealt with all the complications of diabetes so bravely. This is for him.

I feel very proud to be a part of Swim22.

We're grateful to have Sharon on our Swim22 team, why not join in Swim22 to help people with diabetes?

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I want to take part in a fundraising event for Diabetes UK because it's heartbreaking seeing what diabetes has done to my child. 

Running 13 miles is a mere drop in the ocean compared to what Evie now faces every day.

I'm hoping the treatment will improve as she gets older and becomes more structured towards the individual. And hopefully, it will involve a lot less pricking of fingers.

The challenge

I don’t have any running experience so this will be a real challenge for me. The most running I’ve done recently is running for the office exit at 5pm on a Friday. But I'm taking on the Great North Run as it's local to my area – I can see the runners every year run across the Tyne Bridge from my lounge window and it’s something I’ve considered doing for a while.

The challenge of running a half marathon is daunting but I will finish it. The time it takes is not a worry for me – I just want to finish and see my daughter at the end. I don’t need any more motivation.

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Mohammed's fundraising page

I first saw the 1 Million Step Challenge being promoted on Facebook. I was interested but, at first, I didn't do anything about it. Over the next few days, I kept going back to the event page & wondering if this was something I could achieve. I talked to friends & family most of who thought I must be crazy to take on such a challenge, I have some problems with my feet & ankles which means at times walking can be quite painful.

Eventually, I decided to give it a go nothing ventured nothing gained. I had just retired & thought this could be a way of keeping me active while at the same time doing something worthwhile. Knowing myself, I knew that once I had taken on the challenge I would complete it. I found ways to add in extra steps to my daily activity by never taking a shortcut & always finding the longest way to my destination. Walking on my own gave me time to think & just enjoy my surroundings.

Joined by family and friends

My daughter Dawn walked many of the million steps with me giving us lots of time just to catch up & enjoy each others company. On some of the walk's I enjoyed the company of friends. Most of my walking took place in my hometown of Thurso & surrounding areas On one of these walks to Scrabster where I saw Prince Charles. He had been visiting a local restaurant and I would have missed this photo opportunity had I not taken on this challenge.

I also had the opportunity to walk in Dumfries, Eastleigh, Devon & Antwerp these walk's were enjoyed in the company of my family.  

Determination to finish

I got blisters on my toes & instep, I wore out a pair of trainers & on the odd occasion I got very wet. The most challenging aspect for me was remembering I had other things I should be doing, like the housework (not my favourite activity). Everything came second to the number of steps I could get done in a day. The online tracker allowed me to see how others were doing & added a bit of harmless competition. I enjoyed every bit of the challenge, raised over £300 for a worthwhile cause, increased my fitness levels & lost a bit of weight. So all in all a very worthwhile experience. These feet were made for walking.

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One thing I am grateful for is I have a fantastic family, my mum, dad, and step mum are all amazing and help me cope with my mood and how diabetes affects me day-to-day. Mark my partner is my rock, and I would be lost without him. He is my best friend and looks out for me so much with regards to my diabetes.

So, I am taking part in a skydive for Diabetes UK to show to everyone that fear is a choice. I want to raise as much money for the charity as it is my life and without this charity, there wouldn’t be the ongoing research to find a cure. In the long term, if it's 5 years or 10 years or more we need to find a cure.

I have bungee jumped out of a helicopter on holiday once but nothing compared to what I’m going to do!

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To support Courtney in her challenge, hit the button below.

Courtney's fundraising page