Ladies’ night to give facts about diabetes
Kind- hearted St Bride’s parishioners are helping to raise money for Diabetes UK this Friday with a ladies’ night.
The evening is the brainchild of Siobhan Paterson, who has been involved in running movie nights for youngsters at the church in the past.
Her son Andrew was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was a teenager and has to take insulin injections.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin, causing blood sugar levels to rise.
It can lead to a host of health complications.
Now Siobhan has organised a night that will feature a film showing, some music and a glass of fizz, with all the proceeds from the event going towards Diabetes UK.
She said: “My son was diagnosed just over two years ago when he was about 15.
“Diabetes UK is a a charity that do a lot of research in diabetes, what causes it and if there can be a cure one day.
“It’s been a big help since Andrew was diagnosed.
“St Bride’s do monthly nights with movies and things like that, usually putting on things for the kids, and it seemed a good idea to do a ladies’ night to raise money and awareness.
“When I asked Father Morton about it I’d just seen Nicola Sturgeon on the news, announcing £10 million for insulin pumps, and it made me think I should do my bit to help out too.”
Siobhan also hopes that events like this can help people understand more about the condition.
She said: “There are a lot of people with type 2 diabetes, which can be controlled by diet or tablets, and many people think it and type 1 diabetes are the same.
“I recognised a few of the signs before Andrew was diagnosed but many people might not realise what type 1 actually is.
“Diabetes UK have been great for that, trying to use leaflets to explain things, and we’ll try and do that too.
“People need to realise how serious diabetes can be.
“The response has been great and the night sold out very quickly.
“You’re very busy over the Christmas season so it’s a chance for everyone to catch up and have a nice night while supporting a good cause and raising awareness.
“We’re having a raffle on the night too and there’s been some good donations for that and, even though the tickets are £3, we’ve had people donating £10 instead.
“That’s typical of St Bride’s and how everyone there supports something like this.”
More information on Diabetes UK can be found at www.diabetes.org.uk.
People need to realise how serious diabetes can be