Health Charity Diabetes UK is calling on all passionate walkers to help raise crucial funds for people with diabetes by joining their Walks in the Park initiative.

Over 1,000 people across Northern Ireland will participate in the next of a series of 11 sponsored walks organised by Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, which will take place in Castle Coole on Saturday 14 June. If you are free and would like to take a walk in the fantastic surroundings of Castle Coole, you can join in from 11am to 1pm.

Walk in the Park is a fun event for all the family. The walk itself is only two miles and the route is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Registered walkers will each receive a drawstring bag and everyone who completes the route will receive a medal.

All money raised from the walk will help fund vital research to find a cure for diabetes. Additionally, money raised will go towards improving the lives of people with diabetes in Northern Ireland. By taking a 'Walk in the Park' for Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, you can help us raise money and beat last year's overall total of £25,000. The event organiser, Dinah Shortt urged people to come along to Castle Coole: "We promise it will be an energetic and fun event for everyone. The walk is open to all ages and to people with disabilities and the event will prove to be a great time out for all the family. Diabetes affects so many families in this area, it is serious and you can show you care by being there.

"Participants have the opportunity to exercise as well as raise money for what is an extremely important cause as diabetes affects over 80,000 people in Northern Ireland. The money raised is vital for diabetes research."

If you are interested in taking part, you can contact Jennie McGivern, National Fundraising Manager at Diabetes UK Northern Ireland office on 028 9066-6646 or email jennifer.mcgivern@diabetes.org.uk.