Michael Radley from Croydon who lives with type 1 diabetes, aims to make history climbing Kilimanjaro for charity Michael Radley from Croydon, South London will attempt to scale Africa’s highest mountain for JDRF, the type 1 diabetes charity.

The JDRF Climb Kilimanjaro event will take place from 14-24 June this year. Michael will be joined by 19 others that live with type 1 diabetes – believed to be the largest team ever of people that live with the condition attempting to climb the mountain.

Michael said: “having had diabetes since I was 3 years old, 24 years later I wanted to do two things; firstly to see if I would be able to physically and mentally achieve something as great as this whilst living with a chronic illness, but secondly and more importantly, to raise funds and awareness for a charity that does some fantastic work and research for the diabetes community. It’s a nice way to be able to say “thank you” for my good health so far!” In explaining his training programme, Michael said “I have focused a lot on my cardiovascular exercises such as running and endurance walking and hiking to get myself as fit as possible, but I have also tried to mix it up with other forms of exercise like cycling, yoga and weight training for the sake of variety!” Michael was first diagnosed with the condition in 1990 when he was 3 years old. He said: “we have a family joke that it was my brother that triggered my diabetes, because I got diagnosed shortly after he hid my favourite childhood toy in the shed and I went in there to get it, fell off of a ladder and broke my arm! I was dependent on insulin injections from then and over-time it has been quite a responsibility to have to manage my insulin intake, diet and general health for the sake of your blood glucose levels, when the levels themselves are effected by just about everything- stress, routine, hydration, weather, lack of sleep and so on! It has been a real challenge but my friends and family have been extremely supportive over the years, and moving on to an insulin pump 2 years ago has also really helped me!” An insulin pump is a device that continuously gives insulin to a diabetic throughout the day instead of having to give individual injections when required.

The group will trek the beautiful Marangu trail, through muddy rainforest, along rocky paths and over valleys, past glaciers and ice cliffs. Each night will be spent at a different campsite offering team members the opportunity to wake up to a stunning scenic view every morning. Participants will raise money for JDRF – the type 1 diabetes charity.

Fully trained medical staff will be on hand to assist during the trek, who will provide specialist advice on training tips, equipment and nutrition. Michael will also be joined by Becky Botham- Armstrong, daughter of cricket legend Sir Ian Botham, and professional snowboarder Chris Southwell –who both also live with the condition and support JDRF.

The 400,000 people in the UK who live with type 1 diabetes - including 29,000 children - rely on multiple insulin injections or pump infusions every day just to stay alive. A child diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of five faces up to 19,000 injections and 50,000 finger prick blood tests by the time they are 18. The condition is not caused by lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise.

Karen Addington, Chief Executive of JDRF, said: “The JDRF Climb Kilimanjaro challenge is a fantastic opportunity for those with type 1 diabetes to prove to themselves and the world that having the condition does not have to stop them embracing the most demanding and exciting challenges. I wish all participants the best of luck and thank them for their support, which will help take us one step closer to finding the cure for this condition.”

To sponsor Michael, please visit www.justgiving.com/michael-radley.

Notes to Editors About JDRF JDRF exists to find the cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications, and is the world’s leading type 1 diabetes research charity. At a global level, JDRF volunteers and staff have been responsible for raising over £1 billion to support type 1 diabetes research, since the charity’s inception. www.jdrf.org.uk About type 1 diabetes: • Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that has a life-long impact on those diagnosed with it and their families. JDRF exists to find the cure for type 1 diabetes.

• Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which cannot be prevented, and is not caused by lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise.

• People with type 1 diabetes rely on multiple insulin injections or pump infusions every day just to stay alive, until we find the cure.

• It normally strikes children and stays with them for the rest of their lives.

• Type 1 diabetes affects about 400,000 people in the UK, 29,000 of them children.

Based on information supplied by Michael Radley.