25 June 2010

Ken joins Diabetes UK’s Keepy Uppy competition in the Scottish Parliament

With Diabetes Week and the Football World Cup already in progress, Diabetes UK Scotland welcomed Ken and Tom Wilson from East Renfrewshire at the Parliament for a game of Keepy Uppy.

The competition is designed to underline the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and that regular, physical activity could help to both prevent Type 2 diabetes and manage the condition once diagnosed.

Attending and encouraging MSPs to take part was Tom Wilson who is one of Diabetes UK’s most enthusiastic fundraisers and who first made the approach to Ken.

In 2009, Tom cycled from John O’Groats to Land’s End, ran the New York Marathon, scaled the three highest peaks in the UK in 24 hours and then to round off the year climbed Kilimanjaro. In recognition of his efforts Diabetes UK Scotland awarded Tom the title of Fundraiser of the Year.

Additional Information

1      Diabetes is a condition where the body can’t use glucose (sugar) properly. If untreated diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputations. There are two forms of diabetes – Type 1, which usually develops in younger people, and Type 2, which largely affects people over the age of 40 and is the most prevalent form of the condition.

2      Diabetes UK Scotland is the charity for people with diabetes. One of the largest patient bodies in the country, we have over 11,000 individual members and over 40 voluntary groups in Scotland). Diabetes UK Scotland campaigns on behalf of people with diabetes, provides information and support and funds research.