This in from Erika, in her own words. Ed
A diabetic Newport man is planning to Walk the Wight just a few months after undergoing his second pancreatic transplant, and making the feat even more remarkable is the fact that intrepid Charlie Duff is also a double amputee.
Nevertheless he will line up to take part alongside thousands of others at this year’s Walk the Wight event on 11th May, which raises money for Earl Mountbatten Hospice in Newport.
Charlie, 46, will be taking part in the event’s eight-mile Flat Walk between Sandown Bay Academy and Thompson’s Trees on the outskirts of Newport, just three months after he underwent a pancreas transplant – his second – at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford.
While he is currently still recuperating at home, Charlie has begun light exercising and has vowed to be fit enough to take part in Walk the Wight.
Second time around
He took part in last year’s event, walking around ten miles, less than a year after having his right leg amputated – his left was removed in 2007 – and his efforts won him a personal achievement award.
His determination to take part in this year’s event has astounded organisers.
Interim hospice chief executive Jo Blackburn said,
“We hear a great many personal accounts of why people undertake the walk and many people do so courageously having overcome very real setbacks. But this, by any standards, would be a remarkable effort by Charlie.
“It is this sort of positive attitude that typifies Walk the Wight. So many people take part for a variety of reasons but what unites them all is their wish to support the work we do at Earl Mountbatten Hospice. Walk the Wight is our largest annual fundraising event and the money raised is absolutely vital to our efforts to provide the highest quality care for those facing a life limiting illness.”
A personal challenge and great cause
Charlie said:
“Everyone knows about the invaluable work the Hospice does and what an important place it holds within the Island community. I am determined to do this both as a personal challenge and to raise money for a great cause – helping the Hospice carry on its great work.”
Charlie has battled type 1 diabetes since childhood but after a spell in his twenties when his condition seemed to have settled down, he went into renal failure in 2004 meaning he had to start dialysis. In October 2006 he underwent a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant.
Charlie said:
“I thought all my troubles were over but that was just the start of my adventure! In 2007 it became necessary to amputate my left leg, due to arterial damage caused by the diabetes. I recovered well and was back on my feet after three months. I returned to work and carried on with life. I managed to push my limits and took part in many challenges, including climbing Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons and sailing on a tall ship.”
However, in 2012 his condition required the amputation of his right leg below the knee. In typically indomitable fashion though, he was walking on his prosthetic legs within five months. In February this year, he was called to Oxford to undergo a second pancreas transplant.
“I spent five weeks in hospital, following a few complications but returned to the Island to continue my recovery at home. Despite being very weak after my transplant, I am still determined to walk the Flat Walk and raise as much money as I can for the Hospice.”
Show your support
You can sponsor Charlie online at http://www.justgiving.com/Charlie-Duff3 or by texting FWTW81 Followed by £1, £2, £5 or £10 (depending on the amount you wish to give) to 70070.
To find out more about the Hospice, Walk the Wight and to register for this year’s event, see http://www.iwhospice.org/walk-the-wight-2014.aspx
