VLM2014- I'm in!

Well, here I am doing what I said I wouldn't do because 26.2 miles is a very long way indeed! Training is on in earnest, accompanied and encouraged by other VLM14 runners, and highly driven by the opportunity to raise funds for SILVER STAR, the charity that campaigns to raise awareness of diabetes and runs a mobile unit carrying out important diabetes testing and raising awareness across the UK, especially amongst south Asian communities who are more likely to be diabetic.
There are currently over 3 million people diagnosed with diabetes and over 1 million who have Type 2 diabetes but don't know it. Left untreated, the condition can lead to heart disease, stroke, nerve damage and blindness. If positive lifestyle changes are made, such as weight loss and healthy eating, then diabetes doesn't have to be inevitable. The SILVER STAR mobile unit measures weight and height to get the BMI and Blood Glucose level, and gives results immediately after the tests which take 3-5 minutes. Imagine finding out you have diabetes but that you have the time to do something about it. SILVER STAR helps to save lives and I am honoured to be running for the charity.

SILVER STAR has some high profile supporters to help promote this message including its founder patron the Rt Hon. Keith Vaz MP, Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Actresses Shilpa Shetty and Nina Wadia, and Esther Rantzen. Samantha Cameron recently hosted a reception at 10 Downing Street in honouring the important work of SILVER STAR.

So if you would like to help our mobile unit get to more people in more places in the UK then please do support me.

Also, good luck to my friends and training partners who are running for other great causes: Sandra Hewson (Epilepsy UK), Rob Yateman (SPARKS) and Jo Peasland (Seafarers UK).