DIABETES UK wants to thank all the swimmers in the North West who helped raise £10,114.41 by taking part in our Swim22 event.

The 22-mile length of the challenge is equivalent to swimming the English Channel, a distance which local swimmers tackled at their own speed over three months earlier this year.

Sponsorship from swimmers’ friends and families will help us to fund research, campaign on key issues, and offer education and support to more people who are living with diabetes.

There are now 3.9 million people with diabetes in the UK, a number that is growing rapidly – but the right support at the right time helps people to manage it and live long, healthy lives.

Swimming is a great way of keeping physically fit, which, along with eating a healthy diet, can help you maintain a healthy weight and therefore reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes, and help all those with the condition to manage it.

Lara Dobson, regional fundraising manager (via e-mail)