Omagh mum Lorraine Reid is entering the festive spirit and has organised a Christmas Craft Fair taking place Saturday 2 December at Omagh Golf Club with all proceeds going to Diabetes UK Northern Ireland.
Lorraine’s daughter, Zarah, aged 5, is living with Type 1 diabetes and after the shock diagnosis, they decided to help the local charity raise awareness and funds to help the diabetes community in Northern Ireland.
Lorraine said, ‘When Zarah was diagnosed we couldn’t believe it. This is a lifelong condition that as a family, we have had to learn how to manage, but one day, it will be up to Zarah to manage her Type 1 diabetes herself. It is every day and every night, every meal and every sleep. It never goes away. I am a renal nurse so the long term complications relating to diabetes are well known to me and I know the importance of knowing diabetes and managing it well.
‘We could have given in to diabetes and let it rule Zarah but together, we are fighting it every single day. We know that we can manage Type 1 diabetes, we know that there will be tough days and good days and now we want to help others in the same situation.
‘Diabetes will not get in our way so we decided to organise a fun Christmas Craft Fair in Omagh Golf Club for everyone to come along and support the local diabetes community. We now know that diabetes impacts so many families, with either Type 1 diabetes or Type 2 diabetes. We hope that this Christmas Fair will help us raise awareness and support the work of Diabetes UK Northern Ireland and hope that you will join us.’
Naomi Breen, Diabetes UK Northern Ireland National Fundraiser, said, ‘Like so many families who get that shock diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes, the Reid family had to learn about this condition very quickly in order to help Zarah. Now, they are wanting to help others and this Christmas Craft Fair will not only celebrate all things festive, but also one family’s determination to take control of diabetes. I would like to thank Lorraine, Zarah and the Reid family for all their support and for the help that they will provide to others.’
Join the Reid family on Saturday 2 December at Omagh Golf Club, 1pm-5pm for all the local craft stalls and festive fun. Santa himself will be making an appearance between 2pm–3.30pm with a small gift for children. Admission is £3 and proceeds will go to Diabetes UK Northern Ireland.
If you want to know more about diabetes or what you can do to help contact Diabetes UK Northern Ireland: email n.ireland@diabetes.org.uk or call 028 9066 6646.
