WHEN 28-year-old Peter Robinson went to his doctor with chest pains he was stunned to discover he had diabetes.

But the shock spurred him on to a new lease of life.

In the two years since he was diagnosed, the former pupil of St James CE School in Farnworth has become a keen climber and walker and has used his new hobby to raise awareness and money for Diabetes UK.

And the car dealership worker says he has never felt fitter.

He is now training for his next challenge, to walk the length of the Great Wall of China in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Mr Robinson, who lives in Stoneclough, found out by chance he had developed type 2 diabetes after going to the doctor with chest pains.

The pains were the result of a torn muscle, but a blood test revealed that high levels of sugar had led to him developing type two diabetes.

“I was shocked, I didn’t know what it meant, what to do,” he said. “It was worrying. I never expected to be told I was a diabetic.

“I think I developed it because of an unhealthy lifestyle which had led to bad health. I saw this as a wake up-call and I had to change my lifestyle.”

So he joined a gym and cut out foods with sugar and fat and was able to avoid taking medication through diet control. He lost around four stone and now weighs just over 13 stone.

Since being diagnosed, Mr Robinson has been taking part in challenging activities, including walking up Snowdon twice in one day.

He is also hoping to do the Three Peaks Challenge in Yorkshire for a different charity before his walk in China.

Mr Robinson, who works in the service department at a Porsche dealership in Warrington, said: “I feel as if I have a new lease of life. I have more energy and take part in more activities, which I never took part in before.”

Anybody wishing to sponsor Mr Robinson should log on to justgiving.com/peterrobinson4 or email robinsongtir@hotmail.com