Kent: hairdressing team complete running challenge for Diabetes UK

Patricia Howells, Diabetes UK regional fundraiser for the South East accepted cheque at the Mastercutters hairdressers in Ashford.

The team of stylists based at branches in Tenterden and Ashford were headed by the owner Ashley Bellwood and his wife Kay at the recent Givaudan Ashford 10k Run on 10 October.

They raised £1710.00 for Diabetes UK because their son Maceo has Type 1 diabetes.

Ashford Mum and Dad running team who are taking on the Givaudan Ashford 10k Run on 10 October because their seven year old son has Type 1 diabetes.

Kay and Ashley Bellwood (41) headed a running team of hairdressers who raised the money for Diabetes UK because their son Maceo was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in July 2014. Maceo had all the classic symptoms such as increased Thirst, Hunger and trips to the Toilet.

Ashley says “He has adapted to a life of pricking his own fingers to test his blood glucose nearly every 2 hours throughout the day, and injecting himself with individually calculated doses of Insulin 4-5 times a day. His insulin doses are worked out taking into consideration food carbohydrate content, what exercise he is going to do and his current blood glucose level.

This is one in a series of fundraising activities that the husband and wife team have undertaken.

“We have supported Diabetes UK over this last year because of the support they have given our Family right from the beginning of our journey with T1 through providing us all with factual information, schools advice, helpline support and providing us with the chances to meet other families like ours to ensure that he has the best opportunities to live a happy, healthy life reaching his full potential and beyond"

https://www.justgiving.com/KayBellwood/

Patricia Howells , Diabetes UK regional fundraiser for the South East , said: ““We are very grateful to Kay and Ashley and the rest of their team for raising so much money in support of our charity. Diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing the UK today and the funds raised will help improve the care and support available for people affected by the condition.

“About 10 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 1. We don't know exactly what causes it, but we know it's not to do with being overweight.

You can't prevent Type 1 diabetes. It is usually diagnosed when you are a child or young adult, where the signs and symptoms are usually very obvious and develop very quickly.

For further media information please contact Sylvia Lambe on 01372 731 365 or the Diabetes UK Media Relations Team on 020 7424 1165 or email pressteam@diabetes.org.uk