PEOPLE across Dorset have been coming together to raise awareness for diabetes.

Diabetes Week from Sunday June 14 to Saturday June 20 is an opportunity to focus on this condition which affects more than 38,000 people in Dorset.

Former U.S Air Force Policeman has raised more than £1,000 in a charity skydive.

Lynwood Newman, who moved to Weymouth from Philadelphia in 1989 and has been living with type two diabetes for 31 years, has completed his latest fundraiser for Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation (DRWF).

He was one of 14 people who jumped in April and has personally raised £1,700 so far, adding to the total group amount of £8,694.

Mr Newman wanted to mark his 65th birthday by doing something special and signed up for the tandem parachute jump with GoSkydive in Salisbury.

He has volunteered for DRWF for many years and challenged himself with raising as much money as possible for the charity so close to his heart.

Mr Newman said: "It was a great way to celebrate my belated 65th birthday which was in December 2014.

"It has been a pleasure stepping out of my comfort zone and helping to raise so much money for a worthy cause.

"I love working with the DRWF team when I visit their office in Hayling Island to give a hand, and at their Diabetes Wellness Events.

"The jump was a truly great experience."

His fundraising success came courtesy of the 162 people who sponsored him, from members of the local community to the members of his Zumba-Gold class, R and C Joy Convenience Store, Weymouth Squash and Fitness Centre, and South Coast Alarms.

On the day of the sky drive Mr Newman made a spur of the moment decision to increase his jump from 10,000 to 15,000 feet.

He has a film of his experience and although he would love to do it all again in 2016, he has promised his wife Lida not to put her through the worry again and has said he will act as ground support instead.

He is a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio Solent as well as a public speaker on diabetes and his love of history.

He is also an associate member of both the Royal Naval and Royal Air Forces Associations and a member of the DRWF editorial board for their Diabetes Wellness News.

Claire Levy, the community fundraiser at DRWF praised Lynwood for all his efforts with the charity.

She said: "Lynwood is an amazing person, he is works so hard to support the charity in so many ways.

"When he upped his jump to 15,000 feet we were stunned.

"His total of £1,700 is truly fantastic and we are privileged to have him as one of our volunteers."

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