"Diabetes UK has been vital to the stable state I'm in now"

Diane understands diabetes having lived with the condition from an early age.

• Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes age 12
• Currently uses an insulin pump
• Has been a fundraiser for Diabetes UK for over four years (pictured left)

"Since I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes back in 1984, at the age of 12, I've seen significant changes to the monitoring and management of diabetes.

Being diagnosed at such an early age the support from my diabetes team at Bassetlaw Hospital, family, friends and Diabetes UK has been vital to the stable state I am at now.

Moving from syringe to pen, from pen to the insulin pump, I have seen and overcome many diabetes challenges over the past 21 years."

I have seen and overcome many diabetes challenges over the past 21 years

An inspiration

Diane's taken these challenges and experiences and used them as her motivation.

She's become an inspiration in her community by teaching local schools about diabetes, fundraising to ensure we can create a world where diabetes can do no harm. She became a Weight Watchers leader in 2015 so that people can learn to live a healthy lifestyle and is responsible for for 8 classes across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, helping people take control of their lifestyle and weight. 

At the same time Diane raised over £1,431 for Diabetes UK through local fundraising events. You can see why she's a hero in our eyes.

By 2017 she’d raised her total by over double that amount. Her motivation to support people affected by diabetes has led to four years of fundraising and an incredible list of achievements, including:

• Three coffee mornings

• Two bucket collections

• A virtual race night

• A raffle with her Weight Watchers clubs

• Emptying a collection box in her local salon

Rachel, Regional Fundraiser for the East Midlands has loved working with Diane:

I think what Diane demonstrates is that by doing these fundraisers every so often, in a way that suits your schedule, it can really add up and make a huge difference to not only our work, but all the different people she interacts with.

She's fighting diabetes with every conversation she has at her coffee mornings, Weight Watchers clubs and collections. She's an inspiration. And amazingly, Diane’s determined to keep going. I'll be with her every step of the way.

Diane's led by example in her community. We're immensely proud to have been able to support her with her diabetes, but even more proud to be a part of what she's given back. 

Inspired by Diane's story? Order a fundraising pack to get involved.