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 Expeditons' 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
- Xenia Murray Hon Treasurer
- Ivy Model
Quartermaster - Kevin Jackson
Walks Organiser -
David Lipyeart Hon Medical Adviser -
Dr. Kate Allen
Committee Members - Chantal Bryant
- George Chapman
- Dr. Janet Ewart
- Erin Lee
The expeditions
continue to be supported by a charitable fund managed by the Bucks Hospitals NHS Trust, which meets about half the cost of
each expedition by means of a grant. To top up this fund, we rely on sponsorship from the drug companies
and other suppliers to the NHS. 
