Kettering tennis coach swaps racket for rowing machine in gruelling fundraiser

A Kettering tennis coach who lives with type 1 diabetes is taking on a gruelling challenge to raise vital funds for charity.

Professional athlete Josh Golding, who is head coach at Kettering Tennis Club, was diagnosed with the condition when he was eight-years-old.

And now, to raise money for Diabetes UK, the 28-year-old is swapping his racket for a rowing machine to row 400 miles in 20 days.

He decided to take on the challenge as a way of thanking the charity for their support and boosting funds for research.

He said: “I remember being diagnosed at a time when sweets were everything, so having to make sure I watched what I was eating was tough. But l learnt to manage that with support over time.

“My tennis career has had ups and down, but it has taught me to be resilient and find ways to manage situations I find myself in. That is the reason I wanted to set a rowing challenge as it’s something I am not particularly accustomed to and a good challenge to overcome.

“I wanted to show anyone who has diabetes that you can use your condition as your motivation to improve in your career, life or relationships. I suggest using this as the ’fuel to your fire’.

“You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve with this attitude.”

People with type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin and about eight per cent of people with diabetes have type 1.

No-one knows exactly what causes it, but it’s not to do with being overweight and it isn’t currently preventable. It’s the most common type of diabetes in children and young adults, starting suddenly and getting worse quickly.

Type 1 diabetes is treated by daily insulin doses – taken either by injections or via an insulin pump. It is also recommended to follow a healthy diet and take regular physical activity.

Charlotte Wright, East Midlands fundraiser at Diabetes UK, said: "Last year we saw demand for our services reach record levels, while our own funding was significantly impacted.

"This year is still going to be very challenging and, more so than ever, people with diabetes need us, but we need your support to be able to continue fighting their corner.

“We want to thank Josh. Without the help of generous supporters like him, we simply would not be able to offer support to the thousands of people with diabetes contacting our helpline, to campaign to keep people with diabetes safe in the workplace, or to invest in vital research - taking us a step closer to our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.”

To donate to Josh's cause, visit his fundraising page here.