A GOOGONG man has walked more than 120kms across parts of Canberra and Queanbeyan, raising money for life-saving diabetic monitoring equipment.

Type 1 diabetic Greg Leahy, 57, finished his eight-day trek on Friday (August 13) a day before NSW plunged into a seven-day covid enforced state-wide lockdown.

An emergency department nurse at Canberra Hospital, Greg says the $10,500 raised will enable the DANII Foundation to buy Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) helping people with type 1 diabetes keep track of their blood sugars.

“Initially my son and I were going to do the Larapinta trek in the Northern Territory but because of covid restrictions and having to isolate in Alice Springs for 14 days it wasn’t going to work,” Greg says.

“So, I decided I’d continue with the walk around Canberra and the region.”

Greg was 51 and nursing in the Solomon Islands when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

“I just didn’t feel right, my blood glucose was really high, it was a very hard time,” he says.

Last year the DANII Foundation granted Greg a CGM through the charity’s scholarship program.

Having the ability to monitor blood glucose via a CGM “completely changed” Greg’s life.

“Measuring insulin accurately balanced with glucose levels can be like walking a tight-rope to get it right but with a CGM, it’s a life saver,” Greg says.

“I can now see my real time blood glucose levels and the auto suspend that bluetooths to my insulin pump has saved my life many times over – especially at night.”

The DANII Foundation was established in 2012 by Sydney parents Donna and Brian Meads-Barlow as a legacy to their 17-year-old daughter Daniella who died as a result of a night-time hypoglycaemic episode – a diabetes complication more widely known as “Dead in Bed” syndrome.

“Danni went to bed with a blood sugar of 12, but she had a massive hypo through the night and died,” Greg says.

“What the CGM does is it vibrates when it your blood sugar gets to a certain level, and that vibration wakes you up.

“Unfortunately, Danni didn’t have a CGM, it wasn’t a thing back then.”

Federal government funding subsidies for a CGM, which cost around $5000 each, are only available for younger Australians with type 1 diabetes under the age of 21.

“That’s why I wanted to raise at least $10,000 so the DANII Foundation can provide two sponsorships for two diabetic people to have a CGM,” Greg says.

“It’s such a great foundation and not many people know about it.”

Greg also hopes his walk inspires other people with type 1 diabetes to enjoy outdoor activities with confidence.

“I walked from Googong to Karabar one day, another day I walked around the Arboretum and up Black Mountain. I walked up Mt Tennent twice, that was hard work, it really challenged my diabetes,” Greg says.

“Everyone has been so wonderful with donations and support, in what’s been a hard time for everyone.”

Donations can still be made, until August 20, by visiting Greg’s mycause page.