Onwards and upwards

SCALING the summit . . . Richard reaches the top of Mont Blanc

Greenfield man Richard Andrew is on a mountain-high after turning his life round from a serious illness.

When former deputy headteacher Richard (51) was told he had type two diabetes he was warned he would be taking insulin for the rest of his life.

But resolute Richard vowed medication would be a last resort - and made a deal with his doctor that he would dramatically turn his life around and control the condition with drugs.

Three months later and three stones lighter, Richard convinced his GP he could stay off insulin. Twelve months on, Richard has just climbed Mont Blanc — and has lined up a Himalayan challenge.

After successfully reaching the 15,780ft summit of the French peak, Richard plans to attempt the 23,786ft-high Putha Hiunchuli in October.

“I’m running seven and a half miles, twice a week, as part of training for the Himalayas and I couldn’t even have walked that far this time last year,” admitted the father-of-two. For him the diabetes diagnosis was a life-changing wake-up call.

“It was very scary — diabetes is a serious, life-threatening illness if not treated,” he said. “I couldn’t face being on medication for the rest of my life; it made me feel so old. So I was determined to get myself in shape so I didn’t need it.

“I was 16 stone and my doctor said I had to lose a substantial amount of weight. So I bought a glucose tester and began to cut out the foods that affected me most - processed carbs like white bread, pasta and rice.

“By eating the right things and walking 10,000 steps a day the weight just came off. I felt so fit and healthy. My doctor couldn’t believe it. I went on to lose another stone but I couldn’t maintain it so I’ve settled at 13.

“I decided to do the mountaineering as a personal challenge, it’s something I’ve always enjoyed but not at this level.”

Richard’s massive lifestyle changes have also filtered down to his family, who he says have supported him every step of the way.

“I realised I was under a lot of stress and health has to come first, so I’m looking to take my career in a different direction now. This experience has been the best thing that ever happened to me.”