On August 14 this year I hope to take part in the Fastnet Race on board Juno, Charles Whittam's X34 yacht. We still have a number of qualifying miles to complete before the entry is accepted but if we do compete I will use the Fastnet Race to raise some money in aid of Diabetes UK. I developed type 1 (insulin dependant) diabetes in the mid 1980s. The treatment that was available then meant that I could not possibly consider a return to sailing. The treatment in those days meant that I injected insulin at a set time of the day, each day, and had to eat meals at set times every day to balance the insulin injected. As we all know sailing doesn't work like that.

In the last ten years new types of insulin have been developed and there has been considerable development in the way diabetes is controlled. I now use a very fast acting insulin which I inject when I have a meal and in effect works for that meal only. If the meal is delayed due to some sailing-related emergency I delay the injection as well. (I still have the issue of removing lifejacket, oilskins, mid-layer and base layer before I can find any flesh to use for the injection site and this is while the boat is at 30° and bouncing around!)

Fifteen years ago I would not have considered any form of sailing. Now I hope to take part in one of the more challenging races in the most challenging sport in the world.

I hope that you will give generously to this cause. You can donate easily by using my Just Giving page: www.Justgiving.com/Graham-Broadway. If you prefer a more traditional method of sponsorship,  email me for details.

Thank you very much.

Graham Broadway