A DOCTOR raising money to buy insulin pumps for children with diabetes is hoping to set up a service for the whole of the North-East.

Dr Bill Lamb, consultant paediatrician at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, County Durham, said he could wait no longer to provide the equipment for children in his care.

He is aiming to run 500 miles in his spare time between now and September, when he will take part in the Nottingham Marathon and the Great North Run.

He wants to buy as many pumps as he can for children in his care at Bishop Auckland and Darlington, before expanding the service to the whole region.

Insulin pumps involve a needle inserted under the skin which lasts for three days and takes away the need for multiple daily injections.

Other advantages are that it offers more precise control of blood-sugar levels, with less risk of a hypo attack and a lower risk of long-term complications.

The criteria for obtaining a pump through health authorities is very strict and, at £2,000 each, the cost is often prohibitive.

Dr Lamb said: "I don't have much free time, but running is a way in which I try to keep fit. So I thought why not combine the two and this way people can see it's something worth supporting. It's the only way I can do it.

"The more money I raise, the more pumps I can buy. I have one child who can't wait to get a pump. I saw her this week and she's so excited that it's finally going to happen."

Dr Lamb said only two children in the North-East currently have pumps and both were self-funded.

He said: "I'm hoping to set up a service for the North of England.

"Once I've got a few kids locally fitted out, then I can offer the service more widely. As long as there's money, I will fund pumps. I don't care where the kids come from."

The Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Councillor Malcolm Iveson, has already pledged to raise money for the pumps during his year in office and Dr Lamb is hoping others will also help.

For more information, or to sponsor Dr Lamb, contact him on (01388) 455190 or visit his website at www.run500miles.com