Colleagues from Hywel Dda University Health Board’s diabetes team have raised more than £600 for Diabetes UK Cymru by running the JCP Swansea Half Marathon.

The team of Glangwili Hospital colleagues included Michelle Whittal-Williams, a medical secretary, dietitians Laura Jones and Ann Marie Martin, two specialist diabetes nurses, Krystle Gunner and Sarah Bruce, and consultant Sam Rice.

They were inspired to take up the challenge by their patients as well as their own families’ experiences of living with diabetes.

The group are experienced runners and earlier this year won the team event at the Carmarthen Mayor’s annual 5K Fun Run. They all completed the half marathon last month in an average time of two hours and have so far raised £639.

Michelle said, “People living with diabetes have to deal with difficult situations every day. The way they overcome these struggles is really inspiring. We wanted to take part as a team to raise awareness of how challenging life with diabetes can be, as well as raise money for Diabetes UK Cymru.

“While we have run half marathons before, we were all fitting training in around work and family life. The conditions on the day were very humid and the winds along the coast were tough, but we all really enjoyed the event. Knowing we were running for such a good cause really helped us to keep going when our legs and feet were hurting!”

Krystle was inspired to run by her brother, Ben, who has Type 1 diabetes. She completed the course in two hours and three minutes, setting a new personal best.

Krystle said, “I was really proud to run in honour of Ben as well as the children and young people with Type 1 diabetes that I work with every day. Knowing that I was doing it for them really spurred me on and I’m delighted to have run a personal best.”

Diabetes UK Cymru also brought together a team of people living with Type 1 diabetes to run the half marathon, to demonstrate that having the condition should not prevent anyone from enjoying an active lifestyle.

Sam Rice said, “I was very proud to run alongside my colleagues and the inspirational group of people living with Type 1 diabetes. Their achievements show all of us that having the condition does not have to stop you doing anything.”

More than 194,000 people in Wales are living with diabetes, the highest prevalence in the UK. 90 per cent of these are living with Type 2 diabetes. If not managed well, diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including sight loss, amputation, kidney failure and stroke.

Dai Williams, National Director at Diabetes UK Cymru, said, “Congratulations to the whole Hywel Dda team for their fantastic achievement. Their dedication to supporting people living with diabetes is truly admirable and we’re so grateful to them for taking part. They have raised a terrific amount of money which will help us continue to support people across Wales living with diabetes.”

To sponsor the team, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TeamDiabetes1.