SHOCK increases in diabetes were being tackled head-on at grass roots level in Abergavenny and Usk this week.

As top medics warned the rapid spread of diabetes could bankrupt the NHS, three local groups were doing their bit to raise greater awareness of the dangers of the potentially lethal condition.

A Glangwryney couple are riding all the way to Paris from London next month to raise funds for Diabetes UK while fundraisers in the town have donated £1,500 to three charities connected with the disease.

And tomorrow (Friday) people in Usk are being invited to attend a Know Your Risk roadshow in memory of 38-year-old Lisa Jayne Howells who died from the disease last year.

The event has been organised to coincide with the re-opening of the Co-op store in Bridge Street where Lisa worked before she died of complications linked to Type 1 diabetes.

The store will be opened by Lisa’s father Graham at 10.30am after undergoing a major makeover.

Diabetes UK, who are organising the roadshow, say the event will help people find out their risk to the more common Type 2 diabetes which is usually related to obesity, family history and ethnic background.

Both Type 1 and Type 2 can lead to serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness or even amputation. It was revealed this week that nearly 3.5 million in the UK have diabetes, an increase of 60 per cent over the last decade.

In Abergavenny, local couple Mark and Belinda Reynolds will be cycling all the way from London to Paris next month for Diabetes UK.

Mark, who has had Type 1 diabetes for 23 years, suffers from retinopathy - a complication of the condition which can lead to blindness.

Belinda told the Chronicle, “This ride will be particularly challenging for Mark as he will have to manage his diabetes during the ride which will mean regular stops to do blood sugar level checks.

“He has always managed his diabetes very well and works hard to keep fit. However, he has had retinopathy and has to undergo laser treatment for this. His sight is OK at the moment but he has to be continually monitored.”

She added, “Diabetes UK is a charity very close to our hearts. We would love people to give a little to support us if they can so that Diabetes UK can continue with their research and, hopefully, find a cure.”

They climb into the saddle on September 4 and hope to arrive in the French capital three days later.

So far they have raised more than £1,000 of the target £2,800 they have set.

Anyone wishing to contribute can do so by going online at www.justgiving.com/Belinda-Reynolds

Monday’s national scare story about the drain of diabetes on the public purse coincided with a £1,500 donation to the cause by the Abergavenny Circle of the Catenian Association, a Catholic family and charitable organisation.

The cheque was handed to Professor John Saunders at Nevill Hall by the Circle’s immediate past president, Gregory Hinds.

Diabetes was the Circle’s charity chosen by Gregory and his wife during his year of office. This was in memory of the couple’s son who was cared for by Professor Saunders and the Nevill Hall team in the years following his diagnosis at the age of ten in 1983.

Three charities benefiting from the Circle’s generosity were the Wendy Bowen Trust set up at Nevill Hall in her memory to improve research, training and education. The Trust was represented by Dr. Fiona Smeeton, Consultant Diabetologist.

The diabetes team recently won an NHS Wales Award for improving diabetes in-patient safety and care with a newly-established specialist team. She was accompanied by Sister Karen Fulton, a Diabetes specialist nurse.

The second recipient of largesse was the UK’s Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JRDF), represented by its Welsh representative, Danielle Angell. The foundation is the leader in its field worldwide, carrying out advanced research into improved treatment and potential cures. Globally JDRF has dedicated over £1 billion to research projects and is currently funding 30 projects in the UK.

Dai Williams, Diabetes UK’s Welsh Director who lives in Abergavenny, was not able to attend the cheque presentation because of work commitments.

Diabetes UK is the leading charity supporting people with diabetes together with the medical profession who look after them. They also raise awareness of the condition. They say diabetes can be largely preventable in older people by simple lifestyle and diet changes.

The charity warned this week that there is an urgent need for effective care for sufferers, while more must be done to highlight the importance of prevention.

It says the costs of treating diabetes will continue to spiral out of control and threaten to bankrupt the NHS.

“Now is the time for action,” said a spokesman for the charity.