Health Matters: Coast to coast trek for charity

Alison set off on Friday with three others from St Bee's in West Cumbria and aims to be at Robin Hood's Bay on June 29, on the Wainwright Coast to Coast trail.

Alison, an ex-VSO volunteer in Namibia, said: "I saw first-hand how difficult it is for people living in rural areas who walk miles every day to fetch water or to visit their nearest health clinic. I'm hoping to raise as much money as I can to help VSO give these people the basic facilities they deserve."

The group will stay in youth hostels, bunkhouses and B&Bs en route. To support Alison's walk go to her Just Giving page www.justgiving.com /alisons C2C or for information on volunteering with VSO visit www.vso.org.uk/volunteer or call 020 8780 7500.

Measuring up to diabetes risk

The Diabetes UK Measure Up Roadshow will visit Doncaster's Clock Corner, outside Frenchgate Shopping Centre on Monday and Tuesday. Open from 9am to 5pm on both days, the roadshow will help people find out more about diabetes and discover whether they are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Having a large waist means people are up to 12 times more likely to develop the condition.

At risk are those with waists of 37 inches or more for men, except those of South Asian origin who are at risk at 35 inches or more, and 31.5 inches or more for all women.

Type 2 diabetes can go undetected for 10 years or more, meaning 50 per cent of people already have complications by the time they are diagnosed. Visit www.diabetes.org.uk/MeasureUp to find out if you are at risk of Type 2 diabetes

Challenge is on to scale heights

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is calling on daring teams to scale Britain's three highest mountains in one weekend.

The National Three Peaks Challenge takes place on July 3 and 4. It is supported by adventurer Bear Grylls, who is urging people to take their walking to new heights by climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon.

Bear said: "This is a fantastic event that will challenge your team to the limit. I would urge everyone to sign up for the British Heart Foundation's National Three Peaks Challenge for the experience of a lifetime."

The National Three Peaks Challenge costs 40 per person to enter. The closing date for entries is June 28. For more information call 0800 085 2280 or visit bhf.org.uk/3peaks