Award for stalwart of local diabetes group

Award for stalwart of local diabetes group

20 May 2015

A DEDICATED Diabetes UK volunteer from Ballynahinch has been awarded a special long service award for her dedication and support for the work carried out by the charity.

Irene Cull, who has led the Diabetes UK Support Group in Ballynahinch for almost 30 years, was presented with the award by her granddaughter Laura Jennings, who had flown from Australia to attend the event as a surprise for her grandmother.

Throughout the years, Mrs Cull has led the team in raising a huge amount of money for the charity and contributed to providing vital information and advice to those with diabetes in the area.

Laura spoke of her grandmother’s kindness and dedication: “Irene is such an outstanding woman who will never understand how much her efforts are greatly received by everyone near, far and of all ages.

“As well as the diabetic group she also spends her time in the Presbyterian Women’s Group who aid the church in providing teas for funerals, having coffee mornings, decorating the church for occasions and arranging regular charity sales. Her pancakes that are cooked on the premises bring people from far and wide because everyone has heard, smelled and tasted her baking skills. 

“At a time of life when others would be slowing down, Irene is speeding up; she works tirelessly with so much dedication and determination to see people happy, that’s all the gratitude she wants,” said Laura.

Heather Causer, Volunteer Development Manager at Diabetes UK NI, said Irene always puts others first. 

“As one of our longest serving volunteers, Irene is the backbone of the Ballynahinch Diabetes UK Support Group, and is always there to provide support to members,” she said.

 “Irene has managed her Type 1 diabetes so well and has never let it get in her way, instead she has always been one step ahead. 

“The Inspire Awards are a great opportunity to thank our fantastic volunteers. There are more than 83,000 people living with diabetes in NI, and our dedicated volunteers like Irene help them to manage their condition, campaign to improve the quality of care available to them, fundraise for pioneering research and work to stem the rising tide of diabetes. 

Diabetes UK has many dedicated registered volunteers across Northern Ireland many of which also belong to the charity’s 17 local support groups. To find out more about becoming a volunteer for Diabetes UK or to join a local support group, please email NorthernIrelandTeam@diabetes.org.uk or call 028 9066 6646.