‘WALES in a day’ is not just a cycle ride but proof that people with diabetes can take on tough physical challenges.

Two men from Ludlow and south Shropshire, with type two diabetes have taken part in a 190-mile ride from the top to the bottom of Wales in a day.

They were part of a 16-strong team of Teme Leisure staff and Teme Tri Club members saddling up for an iconic Sportive in Wales.

"Two of the group have type 1 diabetes so choosing Diabetes UK as the charity for our annual challenge this year means we can raise funds for a worthy cause and raise awareness about how type 1 diabetes and how it differs from type 2 diabetes," said Lee Hassan, general manager at Teme Leisure in Ludlow.

Andrew 'Stewy' Stewardson's diagnosis at the age of 18 came as a massive shock, and meant major changes in his lifestyle.

"My doctor literally said you can't go out and drink like a teenager,” said Andrew Stewardson, a maintenance engineer at Ludlow.

"I was massively into football at the time and I was determined that being diabetic wouldn't stop me enjoying sport.

"Exercising is particularly beneficial for diabetics but adjusting food and insulin around exercise was a learning curve, as different types of exercise can have a different effect on you.”

"Living with diabetes is a constant balancing act, but I learned to live with it.”

After years of daily insulin injections Andrew started insulin pump therapy in January 2016, which opened up a whole new world of training.

"An insulin pump is worn on the body, and supplies the body continuously with its basic insulin requirements. The additional insulin required at mealtimes is administered by pressing a button.

"The greater flexibility gave me the confidence to enter endurance events and I have since competed in multi-sport events such as the Storm the Castle duathlon."

"Blood glucose levels still need to be measured, but the use of individually adjusted doses of short-acting insulin gives a higher level of flexibility during athletic activity and managing training schedules."

For keen cyclist David Morris, ‘Wales in a Day’ was his first major endurance event.

David, 37, a Teme Tri Club member, was just seven years old when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

"A lot of people think that you must have diabetes because you have eaten too much sugary food,” David said.

But in a lot of cases there is nothing that can be done to prevent it. It's not even that it’s genetic, it's just a completely unfortunate event where my pancreas stopped working like it used to."

Because of the training levels needed to embark on an exhausting 190-mile ride, David consulted his GP and a specialist diabetic dietitian before beginning training.

They completed the ride on Saturday, July 22.

The money raised will be donated to Diabetes UK. To donate please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TemeLeisure