MP's tour to France aims to shine the spotlight on a debilitating condition

Fabian, 55, who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last year, will be accompanied by his daughter, Ella, 25, on the ride.

Fabian is hoping to raise 10,000 for leading health charity Diabetes UK to help improve the lives of people with diabetes in and around Leeds, and Ella is raising money for Leeds-based charity Heart

Research UK.

The ride will begin at 10am from New Palace Yard in the Palace of Westminster, where Fabian and his daughter will be waved off by House of Commons Speaker John Bercow.

They will ride to Newhaven, cross the Channel to Dieppe and then continue their journey through the French countryside before arriving at the Arc de Triomphe, in Paris on Saturday evening, where they will be greeted by Paris-based British journalists.

"Ella and I are really excited about this challenge. We want to raise awareness about diabetes and encourage people to dig down deep and help us raise money for this fantastic cause," said Fabian.

"There are more than 28,000 people diagnosed with diabetes in Leeds. The money we raise will help Diabetes UK support these people and raise the public's awareness of the condition so it can be diagnosed earlier. Early diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes is crucial in reducing the risk of developing life-changing complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, stroke and amputation," he added.

"My doctor said that he would not have expected me to present any symptoms for another 10 years – both my parents were in their sixties when they were diagnosed and I am only 55. Early diagnosis is the key to success in controlling the condition throughout the rest of one's life.

"Diabetes UK is an excellent charity which has helped me understand my condition and live with it, which is why I wanted to do something to help them. So many people are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, often later in life, that it's important to understand just how it can be controlled and prevented from damaging your health."

On Heart Research UK, Mr Hamilton said: "I have wanted to do this ride for some time and I am delighted that my eldest daughter, Ella, has decided to join me. She is raising money for Heart Research UK, a Leeds-based national charity."

Ann Rowe, Diabetes UK Head of Fund-raising for the Northern and Yorkshire region, said: "We are very grateful for the support of Mr Hamilton and his daughter. Along with all our fund-raisers, they are raising essential funds for people diagnosed with diabetes across the UK.

"It is frightening that around 55,000 people in Yorkshire and Humber have Type 2 diabetes but do not know it. I would urge everyone to sponsor Mr Hamilton and his daughter for their outstanding fund-raising efforts, and support them in the fight to make diabetes a condition of

the past."

You can sponsor Fabian Hamilton and his daughter by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/Fabian-Hamilton, and http://www.justgiving.com/ellasbigbikeride

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes develops when the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or the insulin that is produced doesn't work properly.

The symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, extreme tiredness, going to the toilet a lot, unexplained weight loss, genital itching or regular episodes of thrush, blurred vision and slow healing of cuts and wounds.

Type 2 diabetes usually appears in people aged over 40, but it can go undetected for 10 years or more, meaning that 50 per cent of people already have complications by the time they are diagnosed.

If left untreated or not managed well, the condition can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, amputation, blindness and kidney disease.