Jonathan Read-Bone, 49, is raising money for Diabetes UK

A Seaton man is gearing up for a marathon cycle ride to help diabetes sufferers like his mum.

Jonathan Read-Bone, 49, signed up for the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 mile fundraiser after his mother, Dawn, was diagnosed with the most serious level of the disease – type 1.

He was inspired to raise money for Diabetes UK to fund more research into better ways to care for people with the condition and into the causes.

No one knows what leads to Type 1 diabetes, but it’s not to do with being overweight and it isn’t currently preventable.

The condition is treated by daily insulin doses - taken either by injections or via an insulin pump. It can affect people of any age, although it is usually diagnosed in children and young adults.

Jonathan, a programme manager for IBM, said: “Since my mother’s diagnosis I have seen the impact on her life at first hand. As I know that this could raise my own risk of developing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, I decided to improve my own health as much as possible. I took up cycling again in March last year after a 30 year hiatus. I joined the Axe Valley Pedallers cycle club, initially as a way to meet new friends and to get fitter. Up until then, my longest ride ever had been a very tiring 10 miles and on that very first night of joining the club they helped me double this distance. In September last year I struggled through to complete my first ever 100 mile ride with the club. I’ve since gone from strength to strength, riding late into the night through the winter and completing the infamous Dartmoor Classic in June. By cycling the RideLondon-Surrey 100, I’m hoping I can make that all important difference in aid of Diabetes research and treatment.

“Maybe the small sum I can raise will be the few extra pounds that secures a breakthrough for my mum and my many other friends and family who are affected by diabetes.”

There is still time to sponsor Jonathan ahead of this Sunday’s ride (August 10) by visiting: justgiving.com/Jonathan-Read-Bone/ or by texting “JJRB64 £(amount)” to 70070.