Rochdale boxer Muhammad Ali gets behind Diabetes UK family competition

Photo: Neale Hyanes

Muhammad Ali

Rochdale boxer Muhammad Ali is encouraging children and young people in families living with diabetes to show what the condition means to them, by taking part in a competition launched by Diabetes UK.

The competition, which has now opened and runs until 31 May, asks young people with diabetes and their families to express what the condition means to their day to day lives, whether it’s through a picture, poem, song or sculpture.

Ali, the UK’s first professional boxer with type 1 diabetes, said: “I’d like to encourage young people across the north of England to get involved and share what diabetes means to you. If you have diabetes it can really help to hear from other people living with the condition, not just to raise awareness but also to help other young people with diabetes realise they’re not on their own.  I know I’ve learnt a lot from hearing other people’s stories, and I hope that by sharing my experiences I’ve helped other people with diabetes too.”

Ali, who lives with type 1 diabetes, is inviting children and young people from across the north of England to take part in the competition, for which he’ll be a guest judge alongside Yorkshire cricketer, Jordan Thompson who also lives with the condition.

Ali was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a child and fought, with support from Diabetes UK, to get his professional boxing licence after being told he couldn’t compete professionally because of his condition.
 

Read more: Type one diabetic boxer from Rochdale first to be granted professional licencePublished: 09 May 2018

He added: “For me, diabetes has brought some difficulties in life, but it hasn’t stopped me achieving my goals. It has encouraged me to educate myself so I can overcome the challenges diabetes presents.”

Clare Howarth, Head of the North of England at Diabetes UK said: “Diabetes is relentless and we want to encourage children and young people to use their voice and share how diabetes affects you and your family, whether you’re living with diabetes or have a family member with the condition.

“So, if you’re feeling creative and want to help us raise awareness of type 1 diabetes then get involved- we’d love to hear from you.”

There are several categories that you can submit an entry to with the chance to win one of four luxury family hampers. These include:

• Children with diabetes aged 0-5 years
• Children with diabetes aged 6-12 years
• Children with diabetes aged 13+
• Children and young people aged under 18 with a close family member who is living with diabetes

For more information and to submit your entry email: n.west@diabetesorg.uk

For more information about diabetes visit: www.diabetes.org.uk