Kentish Express Ashford & District
I want to help charities that gave me my life back
A diabetic parish council clerk has shed more than 12 stone and now hopes to raise thousands of pounds in a charity swimathon.
Len Bunn, 70, is attempting the Swim 22 challenge, where he will take to the water to swim 22 miles before Sunday, May 22.
He has was diagnosed with diabetes 11 years ago which meant needing regular hospital appointments and getting around in a mobility scooter.
However, he says thanks to charities such as Diabetes UK, the Paula Carr Diabetic Centre and the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital he has lost 12 stone and is now a regular swimmer, and he no longer needs hospital check-ups.
He said: “For the past five years the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital have been monitoring my progress as this is where the selected surgeons are based.
“My monthly check-ups have now just been terminated and, for the first time in 11 years, I no longer have any more hospital appointments and my weight has stabilised
“I was completely immobile, but I’ve had some operations and now I’m up and walking again without a mobility scooter.
“I feel it is right to give something back to the charities because of what they have done for me, they have given me my life back.
“When I told my family I about this they were at first aghast, but they are now very supportive and really on side.”
Mr Bunn, who works as Kingsnorth Parish Council clerk, is completing the swimathon at the Ashford International Hotel leisure centre.
He aims to raise £2,000 for Diabetes UK, and has so far reached £704.
To find out more or to sponsor him, visit www. justgiving.com/Len-Bunn.