11 February 2008

Runners Race for Research

The University of Dundee’s Diabetes Research Campaign has been selected as the charity of choice for the inaugural Monikie 10km Race being held on Saturday 10th May 2008.

The Diabetes Research Campaign is aiming to raise £3million towards state of the art research and patient care facilities across Angus, Dundee and Perth & Kinross, adding to the world-class diabetes research programmes which are already well-established through the University and NHS Tayside. The campaign has already raised £1.7m towards the overall target.

The Monikie 10km race has been organised by Eventfull Management Limited and will take place in Monikie Country Park at 11am on May 10th. Runners of all abilities, from serious racers to fun runners, are being invited to apply for places, which are limited.

Nicholas Kydd, event race organiser for Eventfull, is himself diabetic, after being diagnosed just over 5 years ago. "We are delighted to be supporting the University’s efforts to tackle diabetes through world-class research," said Nicholas. "This is a personal issue for me and to have the chance to help boost the research effort is great."

Professor Dario Alessi, Director of the Dundee Diabetes Research Centre at the University, said the campaign was not just about raising money but increasing awareness of the dangers diabetes poses.

"We are delighted and extremely grateful to the organisers of the race for choosing to benefit the Diabetes Research Campaign," said Professor Alessi. "Although the campaign is about raising lots of money to go towards clinical research, state of the art laboratories and attracting a research superstar to Dundee to create a Type 1 diabetes research team, we also want to raise awareness about the disease. Early diagnosis is vital in preventing many of the symptoms such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks and amputations associated with the disease."

"Although diabetes can be hereditary, there is a pressing issue to increase awareness of the need to take regular exercise and to lead a healthy lifestyle. The Monikie 10k run very much complements this aim and we would urge as many people as possible to participate."

Places in the race around idyllic Monikie Country Park are expected to fill fast with the event being advertised to runners around the UK, and those who are interested are urged to apply as soon as possible.

For more specific event information and how to enter the race as well as support the campaign, visit www.eventfull.biz, where there is also a downloadable sponsorship form, or contact 0845 203 2008. There is an entry fee of £10 but organisers hope that runners will aim to raise sponsorship money to aid the campaign as well.

Diabetes is now the fastest growing epidemic in the developed world. It is estimated that more than 300 million people worldwide will suffer from the disease by 2020 and the disease has been recognised by the United Nations as the greatest threat to world health.

In Tayside there has been a 90% increase in the incidence of diabetes in the last 9 years and the need to develop clinical research facilities across Tayside is urgent. The Diabetes Research Campaign aims to provide the facilities and technology to enable scientists and doctors to work together to develop better and more effective treatments and to devise preventative strategies for the disease.

For more information on the campaign see: www.dundee.ac.uk/externalrelations/funds/drc/about/.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk