Staffordshire grandfather to compete in round the world yacht race for Diabetes UK

Retired Royal Navy Commodore Keith Winstanley, who lives with Type 2 diabetes, will sail more than 17,000 miles in the adventure of a lifetime.

Keith, 58, is joining the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race in South America next week to sail the second leg of the race to South Africa.

The race started last month in London and will finish there in August 2020.

Keith, who lives in Eccleshall, has signed up to compete in four of the eight legs, which will see him sailing on from South America to South Africa and then South Africa to Australia this year and returning next year to sail from China to the USA and then the final leg from New York to London.

Keith married Ruth in June this year and, between them, they have five children and three grandchildren, all of whom will be following his adventures.

“I’m so looking forward to the challenge and also raising money for Diabetes UK and the National Autistic Society,” said Keith.

“I was diagnosed while I was in the Royal Navy back in the mid 1990s. It was a shock at the time, but while I was serving I managed it with tablets. Since I left the Navy about six years ago I have used insulin to manage my condition.”

“I’m keen to prove what you can do while living with diabetes. I have good control and use technology to help myself, but there is no doubt that managing it along with the gruelling demands of sailing every day will be tough.”

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly.

There are an estimated 4.7 million people living with diabetes in the UK. If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including sight loss, amputation, kidney failure and stroke.

With the right treatment, knowledge and support people living with diabetes can lead a long, full and healthy life.

Julie Wood, Diabetes UK Midlands fundraising manager, said: “We’re so grateful to Keith for choosing Diabetes UK as a charity to benefit from this awe-inspiring adventure.

“This challenge will be physically and mentally exhausting for all involved, but Keith’s generous fundraising will support our work to fund ground-breaking research, care services and campaigns that can change the lives of those living with diabetes.”

Keith will be at sea for 96 days, he is funding the challenge himself and raising money for his two chosen charities.

To sponsor Keith’s adventure and for more details of the race visit keithsclipperadventure.com