HAZEL GROVE MP TAKES ON A CHALLENGE FOR DIABETES AWARENESS
Andrew Stunell MP is taking the Silver Star Diabetes Pedometer Health Challenge in the run up to World Diabetes Day next week (14th November). His target is to raise awareness of diabetes in Stockport, which costs the NHS £1 million an hour nationally.
"Every four minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with diabetes and it costs a fortune" says Andrew Stunell. "Currently 3 million people in the UK live with the condition, and an estimated 1 million people may have diabetes without knowing it."
"I am delighted to be backing the Silver Star Diabetes campaign to get local people tested for diabetes."
On Wednesday 30th October, as part of Diwali at Westminster, Andrew Stunell MP took the quick and easy diabetes test to help raise awareness of the need for public to take the test of the condition. Special guests Hari Dhillon, Dr. Michael Spence on BBC's Holby City and Vineeta Rishi, Dr Jas Khella on BBC's daytime drama Doctors, also joined in the efforts to highlight the problem of diabetes and handed Andrew Stunell MP with a pedometer.
As part of the challenge, MPs were issued with a Silver Star Diabetes Pedometer that will measure the amount of steps taken on a chosen day from the launch day until World Diabetes Day on 14th November 2013 to see who can take the most steps.
"The MP who walks the most will get a special mention! I don't think I'll be top, but I definitely cover the ground doing this job," says Andrew. "Walking is part of having a healthy lifestyle that reduces your risk of diabetes."
Dr Modhwadia, Chairman of the Trustees for Silver Star Diabetes said:
"I am delighted that so many MPs have decided to take the test and have taken the pedometer challenge to raise awareness of this largely unseen health condition.
Silver Star Diabetes has tested over 37,000 people for diabetes and continues to reach out to communities to raise awareness for the condition. Being tested is important to ensure that the condition is spotted early and people can get the right treatment as soon as possible."