The local diabetes support group in Coalville is celebrating its first birthday with an award recognising the wide-reaching support they offer people living with the condition in the area.
The Coalville group received the Community Award at the North West Leicestershire Local Sports Alliance Sport and Health Awards 2018 in November.
The support group was the brainchild of Bill Brown, who lives with Type 2 diabetes and was looking for support in his local area.
He soon joined forces with other local people also living with the condition and the new group was launched in December 2017.
The group's committee (some pictured above with Awards guest swimmer Harriet West on the right) is made up of people living with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. They bring a wealth of experience of the managing the condition and a passion for supporting other people.
Suzanne Smith, Senior Volunteer Lead Midlands and East, said: "This group thoroughly deserve this recognition. They have hit the ground running and offer not only tremendous support to local people living with diabetes, but they are actively helping the charity's vital work by fundraising and raising awareness at events across the area."
Andrea Cave, group secretary said: "We are thrilled to receive this accolade. We are a group of people, brought together by Bill, who are very committed to supporting people affected by diabetes in our local community.
"Our meetings are very informal, but when people have issues, worries or questions we try to help them. We had a pharmacist at a recent meeting to talk to those confused by their medication and we are keen to problem-solve, offer advice and fundraise for Diabetes UK too.
"Between us, we have a lot of experience of living with diabetes, and chatting through things with people in the same boat as you is so useful."
Congratulations to the Coalville local support group.
