Multisport athlete and diabetes ambassador Emily Wilson will be running, cycling, kayaking and rafting down the length of New Zealand for Diabetes Action Month this November.

Diabetes Action Month is an annual campaign to educate the public around diabetes as a major health issue that affects almost a quarter of a million New Zealanders.

Accompanying Emily on the trip will be Jerry the Bear, a special teddy bear who, like Emily, has type 1 diabetes.

Emily and Jerry started their trip on November 1 in Cape Reinga and will celebrate World Diabetes Day in Tauranga on November 14.

They will also visit Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and plan to reach Bluff around December 3.

At key stopovers, Emily and Jerry will attend teddy bear picnics organised by local branches of Diabetes NZ.

"My diabetes message is that diabetes should not stop you. Any chronic illness should not stop you from doing what you want to do,” says Emily.

She says the plan is to run, cycle on and off-road, kayak, raft and paddle-board all the way, but if the weather is bad, she might put her feet up to cross to the South Island by ferry.

While diabetes can be tough she says she doesn't let it hold her back from going on amazing adventures like this.

"For parents, I know it is tough, but kids can be active. Let them do it. I want to be positive, because I live with it too," she says.

In November 2014 Emily was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own insulin-producing cells.

Having to engage with the disease on a continuous basis during the day to manage her blood sugar levels by balancing her food intake and insulin dosages, however this did not stop Emily from pursuing her interest in sport and adventure.

In her young life, Emily has notched up some impressive physical feats, including competing in five Godzone adventure races, winning the Young Guns trophy for the fastest under 25 team three years in a row, and placing in the top 6 consecutively.

Emily also participated in the Everest Troble Cone, riding her bike non-stop to the height of Everest 8,848m up the Treble Cone Ski Field access road on World Diabetes Day in 2015.

During her trip around New Zealand, Jerry the Bear will accompany her in a backpack all the way.

Jerry has been specially designed as a comfort and educational tool for kids with type 1 diabetes, and will be available through Diabetes NZ.

He has a number of embroidered patches that link with a smartphone app so that children can feed him, give him insulin and look after his wellbeing, all while learning how to manage their own condition.

For more information on Emily's timetable and fundraising details visit: https://wilem526.wixsite.com/jerrystour

Travel Plan for Emily Wilson

November 1- Cape Reinga

November 10- Auckland Rainbow's End- Youth Diabetes branch will host kids' day out

November 12- Hamilton- Teddy Bear Picnic, Enderly Park 11:30am - 2:30pm / Diabetes Youth meeting

November 14 – Tauranga- World Diabetes Day Morning with Diabetes Help Joining Te Tohu Haumanu and visiting local school

November 14- Rotorua- Afternoon at Teddy Bear Picnic

November 19- Wellington- Teddy Bear Picnic with Diabetes Youth Wellington

November 21- Nelson

November 26- Christchurch

3 Dec / Dunedin / Running Club with Diabetes Otago, Family picnic and fun day from 11:30am - 2:30 pm

5 Dec / Invercargill