A 60-year-old from Basingstoke with Type 1 diabetes has raced for his swimming club at an international tournament in Slovenia.

Mark Straw, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was just 11, entered four races at the Masters European Swimming Championships last month on behalf of Bracknell Swimming Club, including a 3km open water race in Lake Bled in Slovenia.

Mark, a retired bank manager, said: “It’s been a remarkable journey. I’ve just got back from my swimming exploits in Slovenia and I’ve never felt better. Swimming the open water race in the idyllic water of Lake Bled was such a fantastic experience.”

Mark came seventh out of 35 competitors in his open water race.

He said: “Through my swimming I hope to raise awareness of diabetes and to show that the condition shouldn’t stop you from achieving whatever it is you want to do.”

Mark’s also a member of the Diabetes UK Basingstoke group which helps support local people living with diabetes.

Jill Steaton, regional head of the south east for Diabetes UK, said: “Mark is a really positive example of someone who has lived with diabetes for many years but hasn’t let his condition stop him from doing what he loves. Well done Mark. You’re an inspiration to us all”.

For further information on the group, go to: https://basingstoke.diabetesukgroup.org/