Middleton volunteer completes her sixth Great Manchester Run for Diabetes UK

Bonnie Kan during the 2018 Great Manchester Run

Bonnie Kan from Middleton tackled her sixth Great Manchester Run for Diabetes UK on Sunday.

The former university administrator, who grew up in Hong Kong, has been supporting the charity and raising awareness of the condition after her father passed away from diabetes-related complications, and her own surprise diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.

Bonnie, 57, found out that she had the condition in December 2014 while undertaking training to help people to find out their risk of Type 2 diabetes as part of volunteering for Diabetes UK.

She said: “My initial response was shock as I had always considered myself to be disciplined when it came to diet and exercising. My father had also recently passed away as a result of diabetes complications which made me anxious about my diagnosis.”

A regular runner, Bonnie completed her sixth Great Manchester Run 10K in one hour and 18 minutes.

So far Bonnie has raised over £1,000 for this year’s challenge but hopes to raise even more.

Trevor Fudger, Diabetes UK Regional Fundraiser said: “We’re really grateful to Bonnie for taking on this challenge for us.  The money raised will help fund ground-breaking research, care services and campaigns to change the lives of people with diabetes and their families.”

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. Type two diabetes can be prevented by making healthier lifestyle choices however factors such as age, family history and ethnic background increase the risk of developing the condition. Early diagnosis is vital because if not managed well, it can lead to devastating complications, including blindness, lower limb amputation, kidney failure and stroke.

To donate, visit: 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bonnie-l-s-mak-kan