Type 1 diabetic nearing end of gruelling fundraising challenge

A woman with type 1 diabetes is putting her strength and determination to the test by taking on a host of sporting challenges to help raise money for charity.
Rachael Hunter Dun, from Westcott, Surrey, is walking, swimming and cycling as part of 12 fundraising challenges for Diabetes UK, despite undergoing an operation on her knee at the start of they year.
She said: “I had a knee operation in January so it’s been tough having to take it easy and stick to rehab. I knew it would be hard to do so many challenges but every time I finish there is an inner feeling of pure contentment.”
The 35-year-old, who requires daily insulin injections since being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1998, is hoping to raise at least £2,012 to help fund the research “for a better understanding of the condition and to eventually find a cure”.
So far, she has managed to complete seven challenges – a 1km swim, four triathlons, a ‘duathlon’ in London, which involved running 10k of running and 10k of cycling 10k, and the Great South Run.
The type 1 diabetic is now preparing for the Dorking Original Sportive, a 66-mile bike ride around Box Hill (a summit of the North Downs) on October 14, and will take on her ninth challenge later this month by attempting the Bupa Great South Run in Portsmouth.
Ann Little, Diabetes UK fundraising manager for the South East, thanked Ms Hunter Dunn for her efforts, adding that “the funds Rachael raises will go a long way in helping us continue to support more than 361,240 people diagnosed with diabetes in the South East.
“They will also help us to find the estimated 95,400 people in the region who are unaware they have type 2 diabetes,” she added.