~ Walk In The Park for Diabetes UK ~

Coronation Street’s Kym Ryder led the biggest Walk in the Park yet yesterday, in London’s Regent’s Park.

Around 700 brilliant Diabetes UK supporters put on their walking shoes and stepped out into the sunshine for the 2.5 mile route. It was a fun day for all the family with face painting and refreshments all round.

Kym, who opened the Walk, said: “Diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate and many of us are either affected by it personally, or know someone who is. Both my aunty and uncle have insulin-dependent diabetes and, sadly, the condition has left them both partially sighted.

“Keeping active is really important in helping people with diabetes successfully manage their condition and helping those of us with a family history of Type 2 diabetes to prevent or delay the onset of the condition.

“Walk in the Park is a great and fun way to introduce gentle exercise into your daily lifestyle whilst raising funds for diabetes research. I want to help Diabetes UK raise vital funds and help them to make diabetes, and its complications, a thing of the past.”

Mike Hales, Director of  Marketing at Diabetes UK, said: "Thanks to everyone who took part yesterday. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and I hope that you enjoyed the day as much as everyone from Diabetes UK.

"We also wish to thank Kym Ryder of 'Coronation Street' who travelled from Manchester for the event and charmed everyone with her personality and commitment to the cause."

The Coronation Street star protects her family by being careful about diet and fitness

How did you come to be involved with Diabetes UK?
My aunt and uncle – who are my dad's brother and sister – both have diabetes. They're insulin dependant and are both losing their because of the condition.

My grandmother, who is no longer with us, lost her sight completely to it when she was very young so it's something that has affected my family quite a lot. Although my dad doesn't have diabetes, we all have to get screened quite regularly because it's in the family.

Is there a possibility then that you could get it?
We don't know really, but it's a good idea to be tested just in case.

A lot of people in the UK have it and probably don't even know because it can take a long time to be diagnosed.

If you think you may have some of the symptoms, it's best to consult your doctor. A friend of mine was diagnosed recently, but she's able to control it with her diet.

I'm doing Walk In The Park in Regents Park for the charity on 10 June. It should be great fun, a bit of exercise and you can raise money for a good cause.

Do you follow a special diet?
Not really, but I eat a healthy balanced diet anyway. You can prevent type two diabetes just by eating properly. Carbohydrates are important – that's why I think you should never follow a diet like the Atkins diet, which advises you to cut them out.

Has having diabetes in your family change d your outlook on life?
Diabetes is much more serious than people think. If it's not managed properly you can have serious problems like heart disease, nerve damage and in very serious cases amputations, so it's quite a scary thing.

What exercise do you usually do?
I like to run around and about where I live, which is nice because it's all country roads. I go to the gym and use the cross trainer and do some resitance work when I get the chance.

I like to swim and to be honest I'm quite active anyway because being a parent you tend to be! My kids are 12 and nine and they have me running around like a headless chicken really most of the time.

I try to go to the gym in the morning before work because it sets me up for the day. I like to keep fit, it makes me feel good, but if I haven't been to the gym for while it is hard to get motivated.

What do you usually eat in a day?
I live by the old saying, eat like a king at breakfast, a prince at lunchtime and a pauper in the evening, because that's the time when your body is shutting down for the night and your metabolism isn't at good.

I always make my children have breakfast before they go to school and I usually have cereal or porridge with either some Canderel sweetener or honey and maybe a bit of fruit. I think snacking is fine as long as you're sensible. I usually have fruit or a Rivita with some low fat spread.

Kym is taking part in Walk In The Park for Diabetes UK. To find out how you can take part in a walk – and for information about diabetes – visit www.diabetes.org.uk.