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Family of brave Leeds diabetes sufferer to follow in his footsteps
The family of a 29-year-old diabetes sufferer who died suddenly, are to follow in his brave footsteps.
Craig Leonard battled to complete a charity walk last year, even though he was recovering from a broken leg, and was determined to do it again.
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But tragically he died last October at home in Pudsey, Leeds.
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Now his devastated family are to do this year's Diabetes UK Well Walk in his memory, inspired by his "silent strength".
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His mum Gloria said: "We want to do it because of Craig's determination last year. We were the last to finish. He insisted on walking the last part and across the finishing line.
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"He was proud of himself, it was such an achievement for him.
"At the finish he said 'we will do this next year'. We are just fulfilling his wishes."
Craig was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes aged 15 and initially needed four insulin injections a day, then later had an insulin pump.
But over time complications set in, including problems with Craig's eyes, thyroid, stomach and circulation, as well as low blood pressure.
As he got older was frequently in and out of hospital.
In November 2008 he badly broke his leg after tripping in a pothole and during his four months in hospital, read a story in the Yorkshire Evening Post about the first Well Walk in aid of Diabetes UK.
"This little boy was doing the walk at Temple Newsam and it inspired Craig to do it," his mum said.
"He said 'if he can do it, so can I'."
Mrs Leonard, Craig's cousin Tracey Paul and his then girlfriend Catherine joined him for the 10k walk at Temple Newsam in Leeds.
Craig, despite only having had his pot taken off three days before, walked when he could and used a wheelchair when he got tired.
He was thrilled to finish and to collect over 600 for Diabetes UK.
In the months afterwards his health problems continued but the weekend before he died, Craig enjoyed a night out.
On October 25 his mum went into his bedroom and made the terrible discovery that he had died.
Tests found his kidneys had failed.
"His body was not showing the correct symptoms so no-one realised how ill he was," Mrs Leonard said.
Mourners packed his funeral, raising another 670 for Diabetes UK, and his family - including dad Brian and sister Danielle - received over 80 sympathy cards.
Mrs Leonard said the close family had found losing Craig very difficult.
"The biggest thing for us is we still can't believe he is not coming back. We can't believe he's not here," she said.
"We knew he would probably die before us, but not at 29."
However they are inspired by the way he faced his health problems - even working as a joiner when he could - and now hope his story will inspire others.
"Craig suffered with a silent strength over the last 14 years," she said.
"He just got on with it. He never complained - he just took it all in his stride."
* This year's Diabetes UK Well Walk is on Sunday, April 18 at Temple Newsam at 11am. To register, log on to www.diabetes.org.uk, email:
northyorks@diabetes.org.uk or ring 01325 488606.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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