Former University of Dundee lecturer Dr Lawrence Williams is to embark on a solo 1400 mile Alpine trek to raise funds for diabetes research. The money he raises will be donated to the research being carried out by the doctor who cared for Lawrence's daughter when she was diagnosed with the condition.
After developing diabetes at the age of 12, Lawrence's daughter Marion was looked after in Ninewells Hospital from 1987 by Dr Stephen Greene and the Children's Diabetes Team. Fifteen years on, Lawrence has more time on his hands after retiring from the University's department of history, so has planned the marathon trek from Vienna to Nice as a way of saying thank you and supporting the group's research and development work.
Lawrence said, "It was obviously a traumatic time when Marion was diagnosed as having Type 1 diabetes but the support we received was fantastic and it is comforting to know that organisations such as the University of Dundee and Diabetes UK are working to improve treatments and find a cure for the illness.
"For that reason, I have decided to walk the length of the Alps to raise money for the cause."
Dr Greene, who is part of a team of clinical researchers based at the Tayside Institute for Child Health (TICH) which has been involved in developments such as the Sweet Talk programme*, said, "This is a wonderful effort on Lawrence's part and it is heartening to know that we have such strong support for the research we carry out at Maternal and Child Health Sciences."
Lawrence will embark on his trek on June 3rd and expects to take around three months to complete the route. Anyone who would like to support his effort can make a donation by contacting him direct on 01382 779183 or 07766 911598.
*The Sweet Talk system aims to keep adolescents with diabetes motivated and interested in their own health. Using SMS text messaging the system enables the diabetes team to keep in contact with the young people between clinic visits. Treatment goals related to diabetes management are set in clinic, and reinforced between visits by specific text messages of support. Young people are also able to write their own motivational messages.
By Jane Smernicki, Press Officer 01382 344768 j.m.smernicki@dundee.ac.uk