Family’s Denim for Diabetes plea

The Bennetts (pictured) - mum Rachel, dad Mark and sisters Laura (18) and Cerys (17) – are in the midst of a substantial fundraising drive which will culminate in the family cycling to Paris as they bid to raise awareness for a condition that affects one in 20 Welsh residents.

 

And they are calling on all residents to wear denim on March 1 to help them reach their target of £6,000, with Powys Teaching Health Board’s Wellbeing at Work already backing their campaign by informing all employees, GP surgeries and NHS dentists across the county to take part and pay a pound in doing so.

 

Sidoli’s in Welshpool has also agreed to ask its staff to wear denim as have children’s services and schools.

 

The Bennetts decided to raise funds for Diabetes UK Cymru after Cerys was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, an unpreventable condition not linked to lifestyle, three years ago. Their September London to Paris Cycle Challenge is organised by Diabetes UK and involves biking 300km over three days.

 

The family are on target to achieve their fundraising goal after receiving donations from Clive Motor Cycle Club, Severn Trent Water and sponsorship from other events, including a murder mystery ball. Cerys helped organise the ball and was in the Montgomeryshire Youth Theatre cast who performed for 119 guests last July. There is to be another ball this July, again supported by the youth theatre group.

 

“I am determined that my diabetes is not going to stop me doing anything!” says the teenager, who walked 43 miles across Wales last June with her grandfather Rod Lloyd, 70, to raise money for her favourite charity.

 

Cerys is in the sixth form at Welshpool High School, studying A levels in drama and theatre studies, business and ICT.  When she leaves school she is hoping to pursue a career in business management.

 

For more information about diabetes, contact Diabetes UK Cymru on 029 2066 8276, email wales@diabetes.org.uk or visit www.diabetes.org.uk/wales.

 

If you would like to support Cerys and her family to raise funds for the London to Paris Cycle ride you can donate online at: http://www.diabeteschallenge.org.uk/challenge/cerysbikestoparis2012