19.06.12: Local boy, Phil Weale, is taking part in the Roseland Triathlon to raise funds for Diabetes UK. Phil decided to challenge himself and to raise money for this worthy charity after being struck with Type 1 Diabetes last August.

Phil told Roseland Online, “[Being struck with Diabetes] was a shock, but something that I have had to deal with. I now face the rest of my life injecting insulin into my body on a daily basis. I have had great support from the nurses, dieticians, and consultants at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. However, they are not a charity and so I could not choose the NHS on here for as recipients of your kind donations, so I am hoping to raise funds for Diabetes UK instead.”

Phil hasn’t run a Triathlon before but been training since last November.

Phil added, “I am confident with the swim, and the run will be challenging, but achievable. I’ve been training more on the bike in the recent weeks, as this is my weakest discipline. I’m slightly nervous to say the least. My aim is to complete the triathlon, not to win it.

“My diabetes will hinder all three disciplines as I will need to monitor my blood sugar levels leading up to the event. I’ll need to have glucose drinks/tablets at each stage so that my sugar levels aren’t depleted as the exertion will take its toll on my body.”

If this is something you’d like to donate towards, Phil has set up his own ‘Just Giving’ site here: www.justgiving.com/phil-weale. We wish him all the best and the RO team will be cheering him on in August!