Attendees will learn how to maintain a healthy diet and become more confident in managing their diabetes day-to-day.

Megan and Mary Elkin will be hosting the ball in May this year in Norwich. Their inspiration is their cousin Tommy Green (pictured), who was 21 when he died in his sleep from Type 1 diabetes complications in 2017. He was studying quantity surveying at Nottingham Trent University.

Adnan Ahmed took on the 1 Million Step Challenge for Diabetes UK after realising he needed to immediately overhaul his lifestyle to improve his health.

“I weighed nearly 24st. I had all the symptoms of the condition as I was thirsty all the time, going to the toilet a lot and was very tired,” said Adnan.

The Diabetes UK Colchester group plan to fundraise for the charity and plan days out for the families, supporting the children to meet other children from the local area, who also live with the condition.

Graeme Shaw, his sons William and Anthony, and best friend Keith Miller (pictured at the finish) took up the challenge in memory of Graeme’s brother Neil. Father-of-two Neil Shaw had lived with Type 1 diabetes for 20 years when he died following a heart attack in October 2015.

Vicky Owens has lived with Type 1 diabetes for 38 years and is keen to keep as fit and active as possible, and also to support the vital research the charity funds every year.

Her ambitious plan saw her take on the Bedford Twilight 10K run on Saturday 1 September, and the following day she laced up her trainers again to join her fellow runners for the Bedford Half Marathon. 

Six GPs and nurses from Littlewick Medical Centre and Gladstone House Surgery are organising a Couch to 5K programme. They have joined forces with Jog Derbyshire who are experienced in leading jogging groups for beginners along the beautiful Erewash canal in Ilkeston.

The ‘Living with Diabetes Day’ will take place on Friday 29 June at Beehive Resource Centre, West Street, Grays, from 10am to 4pm. The one-day event aims to help people from the Thurrock area who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in the last few years. 

Father-of-two Quinton Haverson is organising a charity night in March where he will transform into Q Elvis and perform a host of the King’s classic songs from the 50s to the 70s.

Quinton was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes five years ago at the age of 40 and he is keen to raise awareness and understanding of the condition as well as vital funds for Diabetes UK.

People who give up their time to raise money for Diabetes UK and also improve understanding and awareness of the seriousness of the condition across the East of England have been recognised.