Family supports diabetic patients with thousand mile cycle
The family of a patient with long-term diabetes will cycle over 1,000 miles to raise money for other diabetic patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
Mandy Proffitt, 52 from Brownhills, Walsall, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes over 30 years ago, after the birth of her first child.
Inspired by Mandy’s positive attitude, despite undergoing countless operations and procedures, including surgery on both shoulders, her right knee and both eyes, Mandy’s caring family are raising money to give back to the staff that have cared for her over the years.
Husband Paul Proffitt, 54, said: “Myself, our two sons, Paul Junior and Harry, and our nephew, Thomas Eustace, will cycle from John O’Groats to Land’s End in June.
“We want to raise as much money as possible for all those who have given such great care to Mandy over the years, so we will be splitting our sponsorship between QEHB Charity’s Diabetes Fund and Diabetes UK.”
He continued: “Through it all Mandy hasn’t complained. Through adversity she has battled on. If she can do that, we can definitely do this.”
The ride will commence on 6th June and end on 14th June, which marks the beginning of Diabetes Week in the UK. The family will pass through the QE on Monday 8th to meet QEHB Charity and Diabetes UK representatives, as well as many of the QE hospital staff who continue to support and care for Mandy.
Mandy, who worked as a Diabetes Specialist Nurse with the QE diabetes team for some years, added: “I’m so proud of my family and I’m delighted that the boys have decided to take on this challenge.
“Although I have Type 1 diabetes, all of my family are all fit and healthy, and this is something I am especially grateful for. I am proud to call them mine and I am always inspired by their support.”
Throughout the ride, the couple’s nephew, Steven Woolley, will drive the Motorhome in which the group will sleep, while Mandy will follow on in the team car providing medical support if necessary.
Sian Averill, Fundraising Officer at QEHB Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Mandy and her family for their ambitious fundraising, and we look forward to greeting them part-way through their journey at the QE!
“The money they donate to QEHB Charity’s Diabetes Fund will help patients with diabetes at the QE, by helping to fund equipment, research and facilities that are above and beyond what the NHS alone can pay for.
“I’d like to wish them the best of luck and thank them once again for their fantastic support.”
