DIABETES sufferers in Hampshire are to benefit from a charity walk which raised £75,000 to help find a cure for the condition.

The Walk to Cure Diabetes was organised by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and took place at Botley's Manor Farm Country Park in September.

About 900 people took part in the event, which was sponsored by the Ford Motor Company.

The cash will be pumped into the charity, which is the only organisation completely focused on finding a cure for Type 1, or juvenile diabetes, a condition affecting 350,000 people in the country.

People with Type 1 diabetes must test their blood at least six times every day and are dependent on insulin injections to stay alive.

However, insulin does not stop the long-term effects of diabetes which include blindness, limb amputation, strokes and heart disease.

Among those taking part in the event were father and son Herbert and Ian Broomfield, from Woolston, Southampton.

Herbert, 66, had discovered he had diabetes when he had a medical while he was working at Ford's Swaythling plant.

He has to take tablets for his condition, but 32-year-old Ian has Type 1 diabetes which is insulin-dependent.

Explaining the early trauma of having to cope with condition, Ian said: "The important thing is to control the diabetes and not let it rule you."

Herbert and Ian were among eight members of the family who took part in the walk, proudly wearing the Ford Global 2003 Walk to Cure Diabetes T-shirts.