Paramedic to run 100km after brother's diabetes diagnosis

A paramedic will be running 100km (62 miles) in one day to raise awareness of her brother's condition.

Megan Wiltshire, from Yate, will run through Portishead, Clevedon, Chew Magna, Saltford and Bristol on 14 November.

She aims to raise £1,000 for a charity which helped her brother after he found out he had diabetes in 2019.

Ms Wiltshire said the diagnosis was "a difficult thing" for her family to adapt to.

Her 22-year-old brother Max Wiltshire was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just before his 18th birthday.

She said the diagnosis was "a huge learning curve" for her family.

"I'm so proud of Max and how he has dealt with his diagnosis. He obviously has his ups and downs, but that's all part of managing a long-term health condition," she added.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which occurs when the body's immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.

Data from Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board, shows 53,715 people in the Bristol area are living with diabetes, of which 4,885 have a type one diagnosis.

Mr Wiltshire said he would never let diabetes stop him from doing what he loves.

"You are the director of your story," he said.

"I am super proud of Megan, and I couldn't ask for a better sister, she's supported me in every way," he added.

Phaedra Perry, head of Diabetes UK south west and south central, said: "We're incredibly grateful to Megan for taking on this amazing challenge.

"We are working tirelessly to develop new treatments - and one day, find a cure. But we can't do it alone. "

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