TWO friends will run the New York Marathon to raise funds for a new diabetes centre in Jersey.

Jeff Baron, who has been an insulin-dependent diabetic for almost 28 years, will donate all the money raised to the centre, while running mate Jeremy Johnson will split the cash between the centre and the Ridout House Residential Home.

Mr Baron – the former chairman and treasurer of the Diabetic Association in Jersey – said: ‘I would like to pledge all my efforts and hoped-for sponsorship from the marathon to the new diabetes centre. ‘Diabetes is on the increase and now affects about four per cent of the population.

‘Poor management of the disease can lead to severe complications such as loss of limbs, kidney failure and loss of eyesight. The diabetes centre offers a vital link between patients and professionals and will help sufferers to avoid such complications.’

The money will be used to fund the diabetic centre’s £195,000 move from Kensington Place to Overdale.
Mr Johnson (60), chairman of the Ridout House Residential Home, will donate half of the money raised towards a £160,000 refurbishment of the home’s basement.

To donate money to Jeff, who will run the marathon in November on his 51st birthday, phone 626036 or visit the diabetes centre in Kensington Place.

• To donate to Jeremy e-mail Jeremy.johnson@rathbones.je or phone him on 740120.