Partner's death inspires diabetes walk

8:49am Monday 5th November 2007

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A WALK will take place in St Albans next week to mark World Diabetes Day and raise awareness of the condition.

The two-mile trek around the town centre, organised by the Adam Bell Foundation, will begin at midday at the Clock Tower in the High Street on November 14.

The foundation was set up by Helen Rowe of Old Garden Court, St Albans in memory of her partner Alan who died in May 2005, aged 34, from undiagnosed diabetes.

Since his death, Helen, 43, has dedicated time to raising awareness of diabetes and believes her partner would still be alive today if he had recognised signs of the disease.

Charity members will wear t-shirts hosting a picture of Adam underlined with the slogan for you Adam'.

Adam, who worked as a music teacher in Watford, visited his GP following a bout of fatigue and constant thirst. He also experienced involuntary weight loss.

Adam was diagnosed with a viral infection and sent away by his GP, but within 48 hours the talented young man had collapsed and died alone in his home.

Helen said: "After he died we wanted to prevent this situation from happening again. We wanted to build awareness of the symptoms among young people. It's really important people become more aware of the symptoms and the severity of type one diabetes."

She added: "I tend to put my personal feelings aside to achieve the objective of raising awareness which is so important and that is our primary aim - to build awareness of diabetes so people can recognise symptoms in themselves, friends and family and avoid further deaths in the future."