On Saturday March 19th, starting at 9am, Gabrielle Maxfield of the Senior Women’s Squad is attempting a 24 hour erg for a charity close to her heart, raising funds for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
She explains the reasons behind the feat on her JustGiving page:
“As some of you may know, I’ve been living with type 1 diabetes for over 13 years and I have wanted to raise money for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) as they are a charity close to my heart. They do a lot of research into finding a cure but for now, more importantly, they are looking at the research into treatments and how to fund devices that are improving lives such as glucose monitors and insulin pumps – bye bye to finger pricks and injections! As well as this, simply raising awareness of this condition and how to look out for the symptoms are just as important.
I have rowed for a number of years and although I love it, it is still difficult to be a pancreas and to try to prevent hypos (low blood sugar) whilst exercising. So if this wasn’t hard enough, I’ve decided to set myself the challenge of a 24 hour erg (rowing machine for my non rowing friends) on Saturday 19th March. I’ll be completing this challenge at Durham Amateur Rowing Club and (hopefully!) will have the help of club members rowing alongside me too. The aim of this is to raise as much awareness about type 1 diabetes as I can and hopefully some money too. I would be so appreciative if you can support my challenge in any way by helping to raise awareness and if you can, donating any money too. Thank you!”
Gabby will be supported by other members of the club rowing alongside her for an hour at a time during the 24 hour period.
JDRF is the world’s leading charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research and raise money to drive world class research. We aim to find new ways to treat type 1 diabetes and its complications, prevent type 1 from developing and find the cure for people who already have the condition.
If you would like to make a donation in support of JDRF please go to JustGiving.