After watching diabetes ravage his family, one Bermudian has decided enough is enough.

This Sunday, Chris Alves and the Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club (BMRC) will be doing a special charity race to raise money for the Bermuda Diabetes Association.

"I have countless aunts, uncles and relatives who have diabetes," said Mr. Alves. "I have watched family members take their blood sugar. I am not particularly squeamish, but seeing your family members go through this is upsetting. I have diabetes on both sides of my family. I have an auntie who had both legs amputated, and I have a cousin going blind from diabetes.

"Diabetes is an ongoing illness that plagues many Bermudians, and we, being a close knit community, need to reach out and help those that are less fortunate than us."

He recently decided to take control of his own health and has been working hard to get fit and eat right.

"I recently started running and going to the gym," he said. "I'd never done any running before. I am now 40 pounds lighter than I was last year."

And already the new fitness regime is paying off. Last weekend, after a break of over a year, he won all his races.

"I won all of the three formula class races I was in," he said. "I didn't expect to. But I think it was my improved fitness level. Clearly, I haven't lost anything by doing it."

He said doing the charity race for diabetes was also a way for people in the motorcycle racing community to give back.

"As racers, we are always asking for sponsorships," he said. "We are always asking people to buy us tyres. Bike racing is an expensive sport. So this was a way to give back."

The charity race is also a way to practice for next year, when he hopes to race full-time.

He said his family is ecstatic that he is doing this for diabetics on the Island.

"They thought it was pretty giving that I decided to come out and do a charity race," he said. "I intend to do another race next season for charity. I'd like to do a breast cancer race. I also have various forms of cancer in my family."

The charity race this weekend will be the last one of the year for his motorcycle club.

"We are trying to get as many people to show up as possible," he said. "I will be taking donations at the track."

He said although they raised a little money at another charity race held recently, many businesses are short of funds right now because of the poor economy.

"I am looking to raise a minimum of $5,000," he said, "Every cent donated will be given to the Bermuda Diabetes Association, and none will be used for racing or for the BMRC."

This Sunday's race is at Southside Motorsports Park between 1.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Admission is $5 for children under 12; $10 for persons over 12. Seniors enter for free.

Donations will be taken at the track. For more information or to make a donation, contact Mr. Alves on 504-3317.