David Morris, a retired engineering manager from Congleton has received the ‘Reaching Out and Connecting Award’ as part of Diabetes UK's regional Inspire Awards, in recognition of the work to set up a local group to help people in the local community with diabetes and raise awareness of the condition.
David is a member of the Congleton Lions Club, which agreed to set up and sponsor a local Diabetes UK group last year, to reach out to people living with diabetes in the area. He was presented with the accolade by the Mayor, Councillor David Brown at Congleton Town Hall on 13 April.
He said: “As part of our club’s commitment to the community of Congleton we held a diabetes assessment coffee morning 12 months ago with Diabetes UK. A common comment from those with diabetes we spoke to was that there was no support group in Congleton for either people with diabetes or carers of someone with diabetes, the nearest was in Crewe, so I volunteered to look at setting up a group in Congleton with the support of Congleton Lions Club”.
The group now holds regular meetings which are open to anyone affected by diabetes. David has also built up links with local businesses and organisations, and with the help of Lions and group members has held awareness events and activities.
Stephen Ryan, Head of the North at Diabetes UK, said: “Through setting up the local group, David has provided a much needed support network for people living with diabetes in the Congleton area. It is a pleasure to honour his hard work with this award."
To find out more about the Congleton Lions Diabetes UK group, email congletonlions@gmail.com.
