KIT
MY DIABETES KIT
As an international
competitor in athletics,
Mel Stevenson can
certainly be said to be
running on insulin.
Developing diabetes was certainly a
factor in Paul's decision to take this on.
He says, "I wanted to prove that I could
manage it, rather than sit at home and
let the condition limit what I could do. I
had great support from the diabetes team
at Derby, and was lucky enough to get
a place on the DAFNE course shortly
before the trip. The advice from the
DAFNE course, as well as information on
the Runsweet website, were invaluable in
ensuring the success of the trip. Nipro
Europe also deserve a special mention
for their help and support. Not only did
they provide me with a lightweight and
compact TRUEyou mini meter, but they
also provided generous sponsorship
in the form of a waterproof cycling
jacket and donated to the charities I am
supporting. The TRUEyou mini meter
was smaller, lighter and simpler to use
than my previous one. Weight is definitely
a key factor when you are carrying all your
diabetes kit around and having to push it
up hill on a bike!"
The challenge brought back fond
memories for Paul, who had originally
cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats
25 years ago (remarkably, using the same
bike, but via a different route) to raise money
for sustainable development charity Raleigh
MEL STEVENSON
International. Paul says, "I am eternally
grateful for the experience Operation
Raleigh gave me in my youth. Then 18
months ago I lost my friend and work
colleague Andy to bone marrow cancer.
These events and experiences make me
feel grateful for the opportunities I have had
and even for the recent challenges to my
own health. They have motivated me to
raise money to support charity work."
Paul's route took him from Cornwall
and the west country, along Britain's
longest river - the River Severn -- and
into Wales, then it was on through
Cheshire and Cumbria before finally
reaching Scotland. He continued through
to Glasgow, passed Loch Lomond and
Inverness, and cycled along the north
coast before finally arriving at John
O'Groats. He remembers, "The worst
bit was definitely the endless hills of
of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall and then
Dartmoor in Devon. I had forgotten
just how lumpy these two counties are
and was still building my fitness and
stamina in these early stages. The best
bits were meeting people along the way,
the fabulous scenery and the many
messages of encouragement I received
from friends and family in feedback to my
online diary."
Paul is on insulin and uses NovoPens
for both slow-acting and fast-acting
insulin injections. He carried all his
diabetes kit in his bicycle paniers. All the
extra diabetes paraphernalia was a bit of