A GRANDMOTHER from Great Lever has helped to raise almost £3,500 for charity in memory of her late husband.

Ila Shah, of Southbrook Grove, arranged a sponsored walk around Leverhulme Park to help raise vital funds for Diabetes UK — a condition which her husband Nanibhai Shah had for 20 years up until his death in November 2012.

Before his death, the 78-year-old chartered accountant, who came to the UK from Bombay, India, in 1962, struggled with injecting insulin.

His widow now hopes the money will help fund research into new types of medicines.

About 120 people of all ages turned up to support the cause.

This is the second year that Mrs Shah, aged 71, has arranged a fundraiser like this — last year the event raised £3,164.

She said: “I am so pleased at how much we have all raised and I am grateful for all the help I have had from so many different communities in Bolton.

“I already have £2,660 of the money to give to the charity and the remaining £800 is due in very soon.

“The money will go towards diabetes research and hopefully make a difference to the lives of those who have to go through what my husband did on a daily basis. If they can develop new medicines or ways to reduce the dependence on insulin injections that would help.

“Insulin can cause lumps on the skin, which is very painful.”

Jo Cunnah, regional manager for Diabetes UK North West, said: “We couldn’t do what we do without brilliant and dedicated fundraisers like Ila.

“Thanks to our network of volunteers, we’re helping people with diabetes manage their condition, campaigning to improve the quality of care available to them, funding pioneering research into the condition and working to stem the rising tide of diabetes.”