THEY turned out in their hundreds yesterday at a Hampshire country park for a Sunday stroll with a difference.

Every step they took through Botley's Manor Farm Country Park was to raise money for ground-breaking research into diabetes.

In brilliant sunshine nearly 1,000 walkers, including families, friends, individuals and representatives of about 30 companies, got into their stride for the 2003 Walk to Cure Diabetes.

There was a roaring trade in T-shirts which had been specially produced for the walk.

Organisers were hoping to beat last year's fundraising total of more than £80,000.

The cash will be pumped into the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - the only charity completely focused on finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Type 1, or juvenile diabetes, currently affects 350,000 people in the UK and across Europe incidences are increasing by three to four per cent every year in children aged under 15.

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 includes blindness, limb amputations, strokes and heart disease.

Ken Stanton, of Ford Motor Company, corporate chairman of the 2003 walk, said: "Every penny raised at the walk will be used to help JDRF support research into this disease."

Mr Stanton said there had been a fantastic response and they were well on track to matching last year's fundraising target and a bit more.

There was a real carnival atmosphere surrounding the mass walk with a disc jockey, face painters, a clown and jugglers helping to provide an action packed fun day out.

There were fitness trainers to make sure that everyone was suitably warmed up for the five-mile trek.

Many of those walking had their own poignant stories of how they had bravely battled against diabetes and were determined to help raise funds to find a cure.

They included 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 while 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 about eight other members of the family who took part in the walk proudly wearing the Ford Motor Company Global 2003 Walk to Cure Diabetes T-shirts.