Diabetes UK thank people of Limavady

The walk started at 2.00pm and, despite the terrible weather, approximately 140 people turned out to support the leading charity and receive their pink diabetes medal.

Cecil Craig, Secretary of the Diabetes UK Limavady Support Group said: "I would just like to thank everyone who came along and supported us. Despite the bad weather it was a most successful event and was enjoyed by all. It will be a few weeks before the total raised is known but we greatly appreciate all those who took the effort to fundraise and support those living with diabetes."

Jennie McGivern, National Fundraising Manager for Diabetes UK Northern Ireland said: "Diabetes UK depends on events such as this to provide vital funds for research, information, care and support for those affected by diabetes. I would like to thank everyone from the Limavady Support Group who put so much time and effort into organising this event and all those who came along and supported it."

It is estimated that 1250 people in the Limavady Borough Council area have diabetes. Overall in Northern Ireland, there are 66,000 people diagnosed with the condition, 1000 of which are young people and children. It is estimated that approximately 12,500 people in Northern Ireland have diabetes but do not yet know it as the symptoms are quite vague meaning people can go for up to ten years before being diagnosed. Symptoms include increased thirst, passing urine frequently, extreme tiredness, weight loss and blurred vision. Anyone experiencing symptoms who think they may have diabetes should visit their GP as soon as they can. Diabetes is a serious condition where the amount of glucose in your blood is too high because the pancreas does not produce any insulin, or not enough, to help glucose enter you body's cells – or the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance). There are two types of the condition – Type 1 and Type 2 and, if not managed effectively, it can lead to long-term complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputation. Diabetes kills more people in the UK than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.