News - Diabetes UK Northern Ireland

If you have a story to tell or are organising an event, please email the Northern Ireland team at n.ireland@diabetes.org.uk.

Raising awareness of diabetes is a key part of our work and getting our voice heard across Northern Ireland so we are always looking for media case studies. If you would like to be a media volunteer then please get in touch at n.ireland@diabetes.org.uk.

Gall Bog Tractor Run for Diabetes UK Northern Ireland

25 September 2018

Local lady, Kate Bingham, has organised a tractor run to raise awareness and funds for Diabetes UK Northern Ireland.

The Gall Bog Bar in Dromara will be the starting place for the Gall Bog Tractor Run taking place on Saturday 29 September from 1.30pm.

Kate Bingham said, ‘I have close family members and friends, who are living day-in and day-out with diabetes and I know the work that is entailed in keeping on top of the condition.

Hypo Awareness Week in NI

24 September 2018

This Hypo Awareness Week (24–30 Sept 2018), we want to shine a spotlight on hypos. Hypos affect nearly everyone with Type 1 diabetes, and some people with Type 2 diabetes, who use insulin or other diabetes medication.

A hypo is when the blood sugars drop too low, usually below 4mmol/l.

Newry group organises Living with Diabetes event

13 September 2018

Diabetes UK Newry Support Group invites you to join them for a ‘Living with Diabetes’ information and support evening on Tuesday 2 October in Canal Court Hotel in Newry, 7pm-9pm.

Local Southern Trust Diabetes Consultant, Dr Paul McMullan, will provide an insight into the clinical aspects of diabetes, while Queen’s University Belfast Lecturer in Health Psychology, Dr Emma Berry, will share her research into the emotional as

North West Research Partnership: meet the researchers

20 August 2018

On Saturday 15 September, the North West Diabetes Research Partnership is inviting people living with diabetes to come along to the Roe Park Resort in Limavady to take part in a new workshop.

Diabetes is affecting more and more families in Northern Ireland with over 100,000 people living with the condition here.

Donkey Derby and Vintage Gathering helping diabetes community

20 August 2018

The Donkey Derby and Vintage Gathering in aid of Diabetes UK is taking place at Parkgate, Templepatrick, on Saturday 1 September from 12.30pm.

Harry Irvine and his family have been organising this event for 15 years, raising thousands of pounds for local charity, Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, with the support from the local community.

Local healthcare professionals chosen as diabetes champions for Northern Ireland

18 July 2018

A Diabetes Specialist Nurse and a Diabetes Specialist Dietitian, both from the Western Trust area, have been selected as Diabetes UK Clinical Champions, to help transform care for people living with diabetes.

Mairead McClintock, a Diabetes Specialist Nurse, and Siobhan Monaghan, a Diabetes Specialist Dietitian, at the South West Acute Hospital were chosen for their passion for, and commitment to excellence in diabetes care.

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body can't use it correctly. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious complications that include blindness, amputation, kidney failure and stroke.

Local Specialist Dietitian chosen as diabetes champion for Northern Ireland

18 July 2018

A Specialist Dietitian from the Belfast Trust has been selected as a Diabetes UK Clinical Champion, to help transform care for people living with diabetes.

Veronica Lynch, a Cystic Fibrosis Specialist Dietitian at Belfast City Hospital was chosen for her passion for, and commitment to excellence in diabetes care.

Diabetes UK Newry Support Group raises £201,000

03 July 2018

Our Newry Support Group recently announced that they raised a staggering £201,000 raised over 12 years.

Over those 12 years the group has helped support numerous of our funded research projects.

Rebekah’s haircut raises £305

03 July 2018

Rebekah Reid, from Omagh, recently had 12 inches of her hair chopped off in aid of local charities Little Princess Trust and Diabetes UK Northern Ireland.

The 11-year-old decided to take on this challenge for her little sister, Zarah, who was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. In an effort to help raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes, Rebekah, braved the dramatic haircut and raised £305 for the charity.

Rebekah’s mother, Lorraine, said, ‘We are so proud of Rebekah for doing something so brave, not just for her little sister, but for everyone living with diabetes. We know how hard diabetes can be, it affects the whole family.

One in three in Northern Ireland turn to internet over a GP for medical advice, our survey reveals

12 June 2018

New online research from Diabetes UK, to mark the start of Diabetes Week 2018 (11 – 17 June), has revealed that one in three (33 per cent) would seek advice online first over talking to a GP about a health concern.

The theme for Diabetes Week 2018 is Talk About Diabetes.