Nichola Smith, 40, together with her husband Neil and 12-year-old daughter Abbi, is taking on the swimming challenge of the year, Swim22, between 22 February and 22 May 2018, because Abbi has Type 1 diabetes.

The family are swimming 22 miles, the distance of the English Channel, at Newton Abbot Leisure Centre.

Agnieszka Graja, a diabetes specialist nurse at Dorset County Hospital, was chosen for her commitment to excellence in diabetes care. She is one of 20 UK healthcare professionals, including consultants, nurses, GPs, dietitians, podiatrists and pharmacists, to be appointed a Clinical Champion in 2017.

The cheque was presented at the group's Christmas party on 5 December when members heard an update from world-leading diabetes expert Professor Andrew Hattersley from Exeter University.

Pat Scully, 58, from near Camborne completed a 75-mile route in Cornwall in six hours and raised £500 for Diabetes UK. To make sure he didn’t go unnoticed, he painted himself blue and orange.

The local businessman, who runs slate signage company Stevens Cornish Slate, had lost four stone in a year after attending a course run by Cornwall Healthy Weight.

On 15 November they celebrated their 10th anniversary with a party.

For the past decade they have been supporting people and giving them the vital opportunity to socialise with others who have or are affected by diabetes.

56 attendees had the opportunity to chat and ask questions with local experts in their field. Lesley Jordon, Chief Executive of the charity Input, was on hand to explain about the recent NHS announcement that Flash monitors will be funded for certain patients from 1 November.

Bournemouth and Poole based charity Pop 4 Diabetes have announced details of their annual ball, with funds raised being donated to Diabetes UK.

The ball will be taking place on 14 October 2017 at the Village Hotel in Bournemouth with a ’James Bond the movies’ theme, guest celebrities and presentation of the Child of Courage Awards.

A team of crazy golfers from Chard has completed the Red Bull Soapbox Race 2017 to raise money for Diabetes UK.

The international event was held at Alexandra Palace, London on 9 July. Amateur drivers raced homemade non-motorised soapbox vehicles – the more imaginative the better - on a downhill course.

In June ourWarminster support grouphosted a very successful public meeting focusing onfoot care.