IN THE 30 or so years since being diagnosed with diabetes, Huw Thomas-Hewartson reckons he has given himself around 30,000 insulin injections - but now all that has changed.

The 38-year-old, a dispensary technician at Monmouth's Dixton GP Surgery, now uses a mobile phone-sized insulin pump, which continually trickles a combination of slow- and fast-acting insulin into his system.

The new method has improved his blood glucose levels, which in turn will improve his long-term health prospects.

Now he and wife Rachel, a GP in Usk, plan to cycle 500 miles from London to Paris, to promote diabetes care, treatment and research through fundraising for the charity Diabetes UK.

"I can now go out and not have to worry about my insulin, and the long term benefit is that I will be around longer," said Mr Thomas-Hewartson, who lives in Monmouth with his wife, and children James, 17, and Barney, five.

"Injections are a back-up in case something goes wrong with the pump. But this is a 24/7 thing, I wear the pump all the time, though i can take it off for periods if I need to, and my diabetes is easier to control.

"I have to thank the diabetes team at Nevill Hall Hospital because a lot of the care, treatment and progress is down to them."

Taking part in the cycle ride, an organised event in September, is Mr Thomas-Hewartson's idea.

"Cycling has always been a love of mine. Rachel and myself are training hard and we're looking forward to it," he said.

The couple aim to raise £2,600. Further information is available through www.justgiving.com/Team-Thomas-Hewartson