Diabetes Week A Huge Success, UK

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 24 Jun 2010 - 1:00 PDT

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Diabetes UK is delighted that Diabetes Week (13-19 June) was such a huge success this year.

Thousands of people took part in 60 events up and down the country during our awareness and fundraising week. These included Diabetes UK's Walk the Extra Mile walks, awareness events and other sporting challenges.

A Portrait of Diabetes

The launch of Diabetes UK's national photography exhibition 'A Portrait of Diabetes' kick-started the week at the VAAD Gallery in Mayfair, London. Twenty people with diabetes were photographed by former national newspaper photographer James Clarke as inspiring examples of people who have the condition and still live full and healthy lives.

Diabetes Week was a great opportunity for Diabetes UK to dispel diabetes myths and replace them with the truth about the condition. We highlighted how sugar does not cause diabetes, that people with diabetes do not benefit from food and drink labelled as "suitable for diabetics" and that people with diabetes can still play sports.

Other activities

Many of Diabetes UK's supporters decided that Diabetes Week was the time to organise their own fundraising activities, and this was also reflected by Diabetes UK's senior staff.

Diabetes UK Chief Executive, Douglas Smallwood took on the 192-mile Coast to Coast walk with his son, Jimmy. His aim was to raise more than £5,000, as well as increasing awareness of our Get Serious campaign.

President of Diabetes UK, Richard Lane OBE, also lent his support by walking 7.5 miles along Hadrian's Wall on Saturday 19 June in aid of diabetes research. You can see pictures from Richard's walk in our online gallery.

Diabetes UK's Keepy Uppy competition took place in the lead up to Diabetes Week (and the Football World Cup) to find the most unusual location that a person can do a series of Keepy Uppies. Keep an eye out for the winner...

Thank you

Douglas Smallwood said: "Diabetes UK would like to thank the thousands of people across the UK who helped make Diabetes Week such a success. It really would not have been possible without your hard work and support so once again, thank you! We hope that the Week has helped make a difference to the lives of those with diabetes and their friends and family."

Diabetes UK would also like to thank our celebrity supporters for their help during Diabetes Week. They include Philip Schofield, Eamonn Holmes, Robin Cousins, Gary Mabbutt, Paul O'Neill and Dominic Littlewood.

Source:
Diabetes UK

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