High praise for campaigner who helps diabetics
AWOMAN from Widnes has been honoured for giving up her spare time to help families and young people living with diabetes.
Sarah Mather, 25, won the North West Supporting Others Award at Diabetes UK’s 2020 Inspire Awards, which take place each year to recognise the invaluable contribution of volunteers who go above and beyond for people living with diabetes.
Sarah was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2010.
Since then, the former Saints Peter And Paul Catholic College pupil has been determined to reach out and help others with the condition.
For many years she has been a key volunteer on the annual residential holidays Diabetes UK arrange for children with type 1 diabetes and their families.
She also completed the One Million Step Challenge, which involves taking 10,000 steps a day for three months, last year and is a regular contributor to the Diabetes UK North Of England Facebook page, offering peer support for others in the region living with diabetes.
Clare Howarth, Diabetes
UK’s head of the North of England, praised Sarah for offering a ‘24-seven level of support’ to the charity.
She said: “The effort Sarah puts in to supporting others with diabetes is amazing.
“She has been doing this for many years, from quite soon after her own diagnosis.
“We are very lucky to have her as a valued volunteer in the North of England and this award is truly deserved.”
Sarah has found the residential breaks particularly rewarding as she can speak to others who have been through the same experiences as her, and offer them support.
She said: “I really love doing it.
“In the space of 48 hours, you can see a positive change in the children and their parents.
“Seeing young people face the fact they have diabetes and being there to support them through that is very rewarding.
She added: “There is such a change, from the beginning to the end of the holidays.”
To find out about becoming a volunteer for Diabetes UK, or to join a support group, email n. west@diabetes.org.uk or call 01925 653 281.