Claire Bridges has lost both her brother and sister to type 1 diabetes so is determined to help raise funds for Diabetes UK who carry out research into this serious condition.

Claire’s brother, Paul Kings, died at the age of 40, in January five years ago, and her sister, Elaine Kings, died the week before Christmas last year. Elaine was just 45 years old.

Claire does not have diabetes herself but has taken on the Swim22 challenge to raise funds for the charity and awareness of the condition. Claire is being supported in her efforts to swim 22 miles at the Halo swimming pool in Ross-on-Wye, between February 22nd and May 22nd, by her friend Debbie McNally of the Hope and Anchor.

Claire told the Ross Gazette that she started her challenge on Thursday, February 22nd with a swim of 93 lengths. She is thrilled that Halo Ross has donated swimming passes for the month so that she given can give even more to help Diabetes UK.

Claire had seen the letter in the Gazette asking people to take on the challenge and set her target at £250. She is already well on her way to reaching her target. Visit Claire’s just giving page if you wish to make a donation, just go online and visit justgiving.com/fundraising/claire-louise-bridges.

Someone is diagnosed with diabetes every two minutes. It is a serious condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including sight loss, amputation, kidney failure and stroke.

To sign up, just visit www.diabetes.org.uk/swim22.