We have launched a new creative challenge, #StrongWithType1 to mark “Children and Type 1 Diabetes Day” on 3 February.
We are offering free boxes of craft materials alongside fun and inspiring ideas to children living with type 1 diabetes in Wales. All you need to do is fill in this form to sign up.
Dai Williams, our National Director, said:
“We wanted to celebrate children living with type 1, while raising awareness of the condition by promoting creativity in lockdown, be it writing, painting, drawing, making crafts or anything they like. We are asking them to share their creations with us and hopefully inspire all those budding writers and artists out there.”
Last year, we decided 3 February would be our “Children and Type 1 Diabetes Day”. We hosted a large event at the Senedd, sponsored by Jayne Bryant, MS, where Elizabeth Evans Hughes medals were issued and new ambassadors were nominated to promote our “Know Type 1” campaign.
We have counted on the support of high-profile young Welsh people with type 1 diabetes, such as actors Elinor Crawley and Cerith Flynn, and former Wales rugby international player, Amy Evans, as well as the athlete Mel Stephenson-Gray, who recently joined our Board of Trustees.
Poet and rapper, Duke Al Durham wrote a poem to inspire writers and artists with type 1 diabetes called “Type 1 warrior”, celebrating the resilience of kids and young adults with diabetes.
Duke said:
“I found a way of expressing myself through poetry and using words to talk about my diabetes and mental health, so I find it really exciting to see what children will come up with for this challenge around being strong with type 1.”
This awareness day also marks the connection between Wales and the discovery of insulin, 100 years ago. In August 1922, Elizabeth Evans Hughes, whose grandfather came from Tredegar, became one of the first patients in the world to receive the life-saving treatment in Toronto, Canada, at the age of 15.
Take part in our creative challenge
We’d love to see your creations, email us on wales@diabetes.org.uk or tag us on social media or use the hashtag #StrongWithType1. You can find us on:
- Twitter @DiabetesUKCymru
- Facebook @diabetesukcymru
- Instagram @diabetesukcymru
