A biomedical scientist from Chippenham, whose father-in-law has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 60 years, is tackling the One Million Step Challenge for Diabetes UK to raise funds for the charity’s vital work.

Alice Porter, who is also treasurer of the Chippenham and District diabetes group, has a professional as well as a personal interest in the condition having spent three years on a research project looking at non-invasive blood glucose monitoring. A passionate believer in the power of well-presented data, her work examined the development of needle-free technology to give people with diabetes the information they need to control their condition in a comfortable, painless way.

Alice, who has just made it to the midway point of the One Million Step Challenge, is trying to tackle between 10-11,000 steps a day. No mean feat given the start of the fundraiser coincided with her beginning a busy, new job.

She said: “I try to get out every evening to follow the same 5km route my partner and I have been doing since the start of lockdown. Sometimes it’s difficult though, and then it’s hard to catch-up. On those days I tend to pace around the house and do a lot of going up and down the stairs!”

Alice keeps up her motivation with the help of three friends who, though not physically located in the same place, all embarked on the challenge together. Also cheering her on are, of course, her fellow volunteers with the Chippenham and District diabetes group.

Phaedra Perry, Regional Head Diabetes UK South West, said: “We’re really grateful to Alice for supporting our work to fund ground-breaking research, care services and campaigns that change the lives of those living with diabetes. During these challenging times the support of fundraisers like Alice is more vital than ever before.

“The One Million Step Challenge is perfect if you want to take steps towards a healthier you. You can take on the challenge alone, or better still, get your family, friends and colleagues involved. You can walk it, jog it or dance it. How you complete your steps is up to you. The money you raise while you do it will fund our fight for a world where diabetes can do no harm.”

Diabetes is a 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. With the right treatment, knowledge and support people living with diabetes can lead a long, full and healthy life.

To sponsor Alice visit https://step.diabetes.org.uk/pages/alice-porter

For more information on the One Million Step Challenge go to https://www.diabetes.org.uk/get_involved/fundraising-events/million-step

The Chippenham and District Diabetes Group are seeking new members. They are a friendly team of people with diabetes, as well as their family and friends. They meet, currently virtually, every two weeks to chat and provide information through speakers from various diabetes disciplines. A quiz is also on the cards for the September get-together! Contact them at https://chippenham-district.diabetesukgroup.org/ or via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/diabetesukchippenham/