A DRYBROOK wife who has set herself the task of raising £20,000 to provide equipment to help diabetics is urging local fund-raisers to join in a massive push to achieve her aim by next March.

Mrs Jenny Roberts, of West Avenue, Drybrook, had watched the health of her husband, David, deteriorate as he struggled to come to terms with diabetes.

But, she says, his lifestyle suddenly took a turn for the better after he was fitted with an insulin pump.

"Without wishing to sound dramatic this was like having a death sentence retracted, and our feelings are now ones of hope of having our lives back," Jenny told the Review.

Mr Roberts, a well known Forest man who played rugby for Drybrook and is a former landlord of the Malt Shovel at Ruardean, is already feeling the benefits of the pump which he has to wear constantly.

The pumps cost around £2,400 each and while the diabetic clinic at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital can provide an initial payment of £1,000, sufferers have to find the remainder themselves.

Mrs Roberts says there are around 20 other people who would benefit from pumps and she is determined to help them by raising £20,000 in record time.

"I have been really pleased and almost overwhelmed by the support so far. Everyone seems to be rallying round and I want to say a big thank-you to all those people who have helped so far. A lot of money has already been raised and more events are being planned but I would like to make a really big push to try and achieve the target as quickly as possible," said Jenny.

•If you can help Jenny's big push contact her on Dean 543214.