They came to Bristol from all walks of life, yet they were there for one special purpose.

Mums and dads with tots in pushchairs, grans and grandads, dog walkers, rugby players, Air Training Corps members and even a man with a monkey on a bike did either a two-mile toddle or a five-mile walk aiming to raise £30,000 for research in type 1 diabetes and its complications.

Children's TV character Pingu the penguin, a balloon modeller and face painter entertained families before and after the walk yesterday.

The chronic condition, which can strike suddenly, affects an estimated 350,000 people across the country, including more than 25,000 children. Many of the walkers have friends or relatives with the condition.

Emma Toner, 30, took part in the walk carrying her daughter Leanna, two, half the way.

Emma, from Northville, said: "My cousin James, who is 12, has diabetes. He was diagnosed when he was five. His mum Eileen Widdicks is dong the walk as well. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored us."

Claire Matthews, 36, from Westbury-on-Trym was walking with husband David, 37, who carried their two children Owen, aged two and a half, and Brenan, one, on his back.

Claire is keen on raising funds because she carries out research into diabetes at Bristol University.

She said: "Our department is mainly involved in diabetes prevention work. It's a collaboration between scientists and clinicians who are doing different studies in the US and the UK."

Design engineering graduate Jack Horwood, 21, of Whitchurch, ran the five-mile route with hotel worker Sarah Holland, 21, of Redfield.

Jack's dad Tony Horwood and his sister Anna, 24, both have diabetes.

Sarah said: "We take part every year and this year Jack wanted to run instead of walk."

A group of lads from 2442 Squadron, Westbury-on-Trym, did the walk in uniform – with full kit on their backs.

And 10 members of Nailsea and Backwell Rugby Football Club took part after doing their usual rugby training.

They were: Marcus Bear, Harry Marshall, Michael Askew, TJ Hudson, James Horton, Will Summers, Rhys Down, James Verel, Jack Mountastle and Liam Hudson.

Grandmother Mary Collins, from Whitchurch, whose five-year-old grandson has type 1 diabetes, took part in the walk with a group of friends.

Mary found out about the walk when she read a story in the Evening Post in 2007, and has been a dedicated fundraiser since.

Her grandson Max was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a chronic and life-threatening condition, at just two years old. He now has to take several blood tests a day and relies on an insulin pump to control his blood glucose level.

Mary, 69, said: "I was looking after Max when he was diagnosed. He had been drinking a lot and needed the toilet more than usual.

"I took him to the hospital and they kept him in for a week. When the diagnosis hits you, it is like a blow with a hammer – I nearly passed out when the doctor said the condition was for life."

Max's blood glucose levels have to be monitored day and night, and the family had to get used to a new regime and injecting him with insulin, too. Now Max's blood glucose levels are under control and he is using an insulin pump.

Mary said: "I hope that there will be a cure. I walked with friends and everyone who has sponsored me has been so generous. I am just hoping and praying the cure will be found."

Five-year-old Isabel Gibson, who has type 1 diabetes, did the two-mile route with her mum and dad Anne-Marie and Philip Gibson, and her sisters, Emily, three, and Jessica, one.

Anne-Marie, 35, said: "Isabel has to have four injections every day. She is very brave." Philip, 39, of Trowbridge, said: "I work for Lloyds Bank and they have said that they will double the money we raise in sponsorship."

Megan Brown, regional development manager for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in the South West, said: "A massive thank you to everyone who came along to the walk and did their bit to help find the cure for type 1 diabetes. We all had a fantastic time and luckily, the sun shone in Bristol.

"There was a fantastic sense of camaraderie among everyone who took part. We also have to thank the University of West of England, who host the walk at their St Matthias Campus and supply the catering, for their ongoing support."