A MAN who has been insulin dependent for 60 years has been presented with a medal to mark his fight against diabetes.

Howard Fotherby, 77, of Links Avenue, Felixstowe, received the Robert Lawrence Medal from Dr William McKee at Walton Surgery on behalf of the Diabetes UK.

Mr Fotherby, who came to Felixstowe in 1970 and worked in the shipping industry for Ellerman Lines before retirement, said he had injected himself twice a day since the age of 17 when he was found to have diabetes.

He reckoned he had carried out more than 35,000 injections over the 60 years.

“It’s just something you have to accept – I thought if I am going to live then I have to conquer it, though I have never been squeamish” said Mr Fotherby, a widower since his wife Elizabeth died six years ago.

“It has not stopped me enjoying life and I have been able to do everything I have wanted to do.”

Mr Fotherby, who has two sons, Graham, owner of the Felixstowe-based Little Ice Cream Company, and Ian, who works on Teeside, has had to watch his diet over the years but found it easy to cope.