Diabetes won't stop Gail taking on West Highland Way

Sep 15 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

Gail Park and Emily Brown

GAIL Park has been living with diabetes for more than 20 years.

But it won’t stop her marking a milestone 30th birthday by tackling the 95-mile West Highland Way.

The Fairfield Housing Co-operative housing assistant will be joined by fiance Brad Lowe on a challenge raising cash for Diabetes UK.

And a clutch of friends hovering around the 30 mark have also signed-up for their own charitable causes.

They will set off from Perth making for Milngavie and, after five overnight halts, Fort William.

“Everyone thinks we’re mad and I wouldn’t argue!” laughed Gail, who first learned she had diabetes as an eight-year-old primary school pupil. Taking on the rigours of the West Highland Way has been made possible by an insulin pump.

Gail explained: “I got the pump earlier this year. Before that I had to administer six insulin injections every day. During the walk you have to control the blood sugar levels so they don’t drop too low and the pump has made this easier to manage during exercise.

“The pump has made a huge difference to my quality of life and general health. It is connected all the time and while it takes a little getting used to it’s not uncomfortable.

“Diabetes UK have been promoting their ‘Pump Up the Volume’ campaign which highlights the need for insulin pumps for Type 1 diabetics and they have been very supportive.

“When we decided to do the walk for charity I was keen to support this particular charity, which does so much for treatment and support, research and the search for a cure.”

Brad, an architectural technologist, will join Gail and pals Gary and Emily Brown, James Surman, Kirsty Stevenson, Colin McKinlay and Steven MacDougall.

Donations to the fundraising effort can be made on the JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/GailandBrad