Two groups of volunteers, who have tirelessly raised awareness about diabetes, have jointly won a volunteering Inspire Award.
Coleraine Diabetes UK NI Support Group and Coleraine Diabetes UK NI Parents’ Support Group won the Local Group and Community award for their dedicated work to help people living with diabetes in the area. The two groups have been busy rolling out a calendar of events for people living with diabetes as well as working together to raise awareness, offering invaluable peer support and fundraising for diabetes research.
The groups were among a total of 13 Inspire Award winners who were celebrated during an online winners’ ceremony on 26 November 2020.
The Inspire Awards celebrate Diabetes UK NI’s dedicated volunteers and health professionals who campaign to improve the quality of care available to people with diabetes, fundraise for pioneering research and raise awareness of diabetes.
Speaking on behalf of the Coleraine Diabetes UK NI Support Group, Secretary Alastair Smith said; “This esteemed accolade is testament to our group’s dedication to raising awareness of diabetes in our local area and offering support to those living with diabetes and those living with someone who has it.
He added: “We have a fantastic collaborative relationship with the Coleraine Parents' Support Group when it comes to sharing information, organising events and fundraising and we are all delighted to have been recognised as valued volunteers playing an important part in the Diabetes UK NI family.”Â
Tina McCrossan, National Director of Diabetes UK NI, said: “Both of these groups are fantastic examples of how so many of our volunteer groups are embedded in our communities, helping people living with diabetes in their area.
“These two groups have worked selflessly to ensure that people have the support and information they need to manage their diabetes. This in turn helps make their lives easier.” Â
To find out more about becoming a volunteer for Diabetes UK NI, or to join a local support group, please email nivolunteering@diabetes.org.uk or call 0746 9154 823.
For further details about the Coleraine Diabetes UK NI Support Group please contact them on 07533 722781 or at colerainediabetes@gmail.com