DIABETES sufferer Gary Clements, from Wiveliscombe, has completed a 118-mile coast-to-coast walk across Devon in seven days to raise money for Diabetes UK.

Gary, 49, who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for 30 years, decided to take on a physical challenge when contemplating his looming 50th birthday.

Gary and friend Graham Bell undertook their coast-to-coast trek from Wembury beach on the south coast of Devon to Lynmouth in the north of the county.

In spite of battling 40mph winds and driving rain as they crossed Dartmoor, the pair succeeded in completing their challenge in a week, walking for at least six hours a day.

Gary, who trained for months by carrying a 30-pound rucksack on regular walks, has raised more than £1,100 for Diabetes UK.

The south west area manager for a car dealership has been living with Type 1 diabetes since 1987. He also recently helped to diagnose the condition in his 15-year-old niece, who was showing the classic symptoms of thirst, needing to pee frequently, tiredness and weight loss.

Gary said: “There have been massive improvements in treating people with diabetes since I was diagnosed more than 30 years ago, but anything I can do that helps fund research into the condition and helps people with diabetes has to be worthwhile.

“I have also found that exercise has a beneficial knock-on effect on my diabetes control, so I try to get out on my bike or go for a walk or a swim whenever I can.”

People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin and have to take insulin doses to stay alive. The condition cannot be prevented or cured.

Diabetes UK south west regional head Phaedra Perry said: “Walking more than 100 miles over two beautiful but extremely challenging moors is a remarkable feat. It really does prove that diabetes needn’t hold you back and that it’s possible to take on the most gruelling physical tests and succeed. I’d like to congratulate Gary and thank him for raising such a generous sum, which will help fund ground-breaking research, care services and campaigns to change the lives of people living with diabetes.”