CARDIAC rehabilitation nurse Joy McCulloch is limbering up for Sunday's Great North Run to help raise money for Darlington's Save Our Sight appeal.

The appeal launched at the town's Memorial hospital in May aims to raise £60,000 to buy a special digital camera to detect eye problems in people with diabetes.

Across South Durham there is an estimated 10,000 people suffering from diabetes - in Darlington alone, 4,000 people are likely to have the condition.

Among those, about a third will develop the condition diabetic retinopathy, the commonest cause of blindness in people of working age.

The appeal total now stands at just over £28,000 - an amount which includes a generous transfer of £12,000 from the successful Bishop Auckland general hospital laser appeal.

But there is still a long way to go before the new equipment, so vital to the early detection and subsequent treatment of diabetic retinopathy, can be installed. Mrs McCulloch, who has tackled the Great North Run nine times, hoped that people would dig deep to support the appeal.

She said: "This appeal is very important to everyone with diabetes or who may develop diabetes.

"Diabetes and coronary health disease are conditions that are very dear to my heart because they are both linked.

"We need to do all we can to raise the money to buy this piece of vital screening equipment and what better way than by doing something I enjoy.

"The race is great fun and the atmosphere is just wonderful. You really are cheered along by the crowds as you go and knowing I will be raising money for a worthwhile cause makes it even better."

Anyone wishing to raise money for the appeal or who needs more information about diabetic retinopathy can contact a diabetes specialist nurse on 01325 743530.