Ridgeway and Vale
Diabetes Expeditions walking group was established by Dr Tony Knight the Consultant
in Charge at the Diabetes Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Aylesbury, to encourage patients with
diabetes to manage their condition by taking regular exercise
Over some twenty-five years Dr Knight organised annual week-long walking Expeditions for parties of
diabetic patients from Stoke Mandeville and other clinics.
Starting originally with the Ridgeway, each year a group of patients would tackle a national trail,
walking for 60-70 miles and staying in local accommodation en route. Since then, monthly weekend walks in Buckinghamshire
and Oxfordshire have been added to Ridgeway and Vale Diabetes Expeditions’ activities.
The annual expeditions have also proved a valuable source
of experience for medical staff specialising the treatment of diabetes. Acting as volunteers on the expeditions, they
are able to accompany and observe diabetic patients all day every day as they undertake strenuous but regulated exercise.
On Dr Knight’s retirement a number his patients decided to continue
with these expeditions. It was decided to put the organisation onto a formal footing. A constitution was
been agreed and a Committee formed. The basic documents and Committee Minutes are held by the Hon Secretary.
The venture has the support of Dr Knight’s successor at Stoke Mandeville, Dr Stephen Gardner. Dr
Knight is now our Honorary Life President.
The Members
of the Committee are:
Chairman
- Ingram Murray
Hon
Secretary - Chantal Bryant
Hon Treasurer
- Ivy Model
Quartermaster
- Kevin Jackson
Walks Organiser - David
Lipyeart
Hon Medical
Adviser - Dr. Kate Allen
Committee Members - Dr. Janet Ewart
- Erin Lee
The expeditions continue to be supported by a
charitable fund managed by the Bucks NHS Trust, which meets some of the cost of each expedition by means of a grant. To
top up this fund, we seek sponsorship from the drug companies and other suppliers to the NHS.
