A MAN who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for 30 years has completed a 118-mile coast-to-coast walk in seven days in aid of Diabetes UK.

Gary Clements, 49, from Wiveliscombe, trained for months by carrying a 30-pound rucksack on regular walks ahead of the challenge with his friend Graham Bell.

They trekked from Wembury Beach on the south coast of Devon to Lynmouth in the north of the county.

They walked at least six hours a day to complete the challenge in a week, including battling 40 mph winds and driving rain on Dartmoor.

The efforts of Gary, an area manager for a car dealership, raised more than £1,100 for Diabetes UK.

He has been living with diabetes since 1987 and also recently helped diagnose the condition in his 15-year-old niece, who was showing the classic symptoms of thirst, needing to pee frequently, tiredness and weight loss.

Gary said: "There have been massive improvements in treating people with diabetes since I was diagnosed more than 30 years ago, but anything I can do that helps fund research into the condition and helps people with diabetes has to be worthwhile.

"I have also found that exercise has a beneficial knock-on effect on my diabetes control, so I try to get out on my bike or go for a walk or a swim whenever I can."

People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin and have to take insulin doses in order to stay alive. The condition cannot be prevented or cured.

Phaedra Perry, Diabetes UK south west regional head, said: "Walking more than 100 miles over two beautiful but extremely challenging moors is a remarkable feat.

"It really does prove that diabetes needn’t hold you back and that it’s possible to take on the most gruelling physical tests and succeed.

"I’d like to congratulate Gary and thank him for raising such a generous sum, which will help fund ground-breaking research, care services and campaigns to change the lives of people living with diabetes."