A couple who help raise awareness of diabetes in the North Lincolnshire area have been honoured for their 'outstanding' voluntary work.
Ann and Noel Tuplin, of Appleby, near Scunthorpe, won the Campaigning and Influencing Award for the Northern & Yorkshire region at Diabetes UK’s Inspire Awards.
Ann, 62, who has had type 1 diabetes since she was 14, and Noel, 63, are members of the Scunthorpe Diabetes UK group and have volunteered at events across North Lincolnshire, where more than 11,000 people are living with diabetes.
Prior to the Covid-19 restrictions, the couple would regularly give talks to local groups about diabetes and would also deliver Know Your Risk sessions – which help people find out if they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Ann and Noel run a care service based in Scunthorpe and have used their expertise in this field to help the work of Diabetes UK and improve services. They spoke at a conference run by the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership, to discuss the partnership’s diabetes care strategy. They have also assisted on a project which aims to improve diabetes care for care home residents.
Noel describes himself as ‘an honourary diabetic’ due to his work with Diabetes UK and the fact he has helped Ann manage her condition through their life together.
Ann, who has been married to Noel for 42 years, said living with diabetes has never stopped her from doing anything she ever wanted to do.
“I’ve worked full-time and am close to retiring," she added. "I’m living proof that you can get through it and live as good a life as you want to.”
Clare Howarth, Head of the North of England at Diabetes UK, said: “Ann and Noel are incredibly kind, accommodating people. Their outstanding work in the Scunthorpe area, where they have given people in care homes living with diabetes a voice, has been hugely important and we are extremely grateful to them for their expertise and support.”
The 2020 Inspire Awards for the North of England region were held virtually, with winners attending an online ceremony and receiving their awards through the post.
