Emma Tatlow, 24, now a trainee dental nurse, has faced a number of challenges managing the condition over the last five years, experiencing both physical and emotional issues.

Karen Tatlow and Katherine Hathaway have both been touched by the condition and have chosen to raise awareness by designing the first ever diabetes Show Garden.

The Living with Diabetes Awareness Day is being held on Saturday June 30 at the Royal Leamington Spa Town Hall.

A host of speakers will be giving up-to-date information on services and issues relating to the condition. 

The event will offer the opportunity to discuss how the condition is managed locally, learn how to live well with diabetes, and what support is available across the county.

The group’s first meeting will be held on Saturday, 28 April between 3pm and 5pm at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, Rothley Street, Leicester.

Jan (pictured with her medal) has been married to her second husband for 25 years and has one son from her first marriage and two grandchildren. She revealed that she lived with terrible guilt for more than 40 years when her second son was stillborn.

Julie Southcombe, 55, (pictured above with Diabetes UK chief executive Chris Askew and singer Apache Indian) who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for 38 years, was presented with the UK Inspire Award for Campaigning and Influencing at a special ceremony in Birmingham on 5 July, featuring a performance from reggae artist Apa

Three-year-old Ava Wood (pictured above with her mum) fell ill in March this year and her parents Carrie and Simon were shocked when they were told she had the condition.

“We were absolutely devastated when we were given the news,” explained Carrie, who is also mum to one-year-old Harry.

A new survey* commissioned by Diabetes UK to promote its ‘Food you love' healthy eating campaign in Diabetes Week (Sunday 11 June to Saturday 17 June), has found that 55 per cent of adults in the West Midlands and 60 per cent of adults in the East Midlands eat three or fewer portions of fruit and/or vegetab

Volunteers from across the Midlands were recognised for the tireless work they do by the charity.

Six amazing winners were presented with awards at Diabetes UK’s Midlands Inspire Awards on Saturday 13 May,