Meet Lia, winner of the Young Person's Outstanding Contribution Award
A primary school pupil has been honoured for her volunteering work with Diabetes UK Cymru by winning a national award.
Lia Baldwin, 10, was given the Young Person’s Outstanding Contribution award at a special assembly at her school in Cardiff on Tuesday 7 March. The award recognises an inspiring under 18 year old who has shown exceptional commitment to supporting people with diabetes and the work of Diabetes UK Cymru.
Following the death of her brother Peter, who was just 13 when he passed away as a result of a undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes, Lia has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the condition. She played a vital role in gathering signatures for her family’s petition to the National Assembly for Wales, calling for increased awareness of Type 1 diabetes and the importance of diagnosing it quickly.
Lia, with her family, has now raised over £65,000 for Diabetes UK Cymru to fund an awareness raising campaign for Type 1 diabetes. She has added to this total in many creative ways including being sponsored to cut off her hair and arranging special events and bake sales at her school to celebrate Diabetes Week and World Diabetes Day.
Always the first to grab a clip board, collection bucket and megaphone
Lia’s mother Beth Baldwin said: “Lia is always thinking of ideas and is the first to grab a clip board, collection bucket and megaphone to spread the word.
“Lia is a very proud sister and has had to grow up very quickly and face the heart-breaking reality of death and loss at such a young age. She never complains, is always first to offer help and support and wants to make a difference to those around her and ensure no other family suffer like us.
“We’re all thrilled that Lia has been recognised for the amazing work that she has done, particularly fundraising and awareness raising. We couldn’t be more proud of her.”
There are over 188,000 people with diabetes in Wales and Diabetes UK Cymru’s volunteers play a vital role in supporting their work.Diabetes UK have a fantastic team in Wales and it was great to see so many people come together earlier today to celebrate the dedication, inspiration, time and efforts of their volunteers.
The charity’s volunteers help raise awareness of how to manage the condition, campaign to improve the quality of care available, fundraise for pioneering research and work to stem the rising tide of diabetes.
We're so proud of her achievements
Diabetes UK Cymru’s Director Dai Williams said: “Lia is an incredible girl, with a fantastically positive and generous spirit. She is truly deserving of this award as she has raised awareness of the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes to thousands and done some fantastic fundraising. We think Peter would have been truly proud of his little sister and all of her achievements and so are we.
“Through our Inspire Awards we thank our hard working volunteers like Lia for their contributions and highlight the positive difference their work has made to the lives of people with diabetes.
“Our volunteers are out there working hard in the community day in and day out. Our much-needed work wouldn’t be possible without their incredible support and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of our volunteers who make an enormous difference through their support.”
About the Inspire awards
TheInspire Awardsrecognise and celebrate outstanding individuals as well as group volunteer efforts. The winners are chosen by judging panels across the UK and are then placed in a pool to be judged for the UK-wide Inspire Awards which will be presented in summer 2017.
Diabetes UK Cymru has nearly 500 registered volunteers, many of whom also belong to the charity’s 33 local support groups. To find out more about becoming a volunteer for Diabetes UK Cymru, or to join a local support group, please emailwales@diabetes.org.uk or call 029 2066 8276.
