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Long - serving couple made great contribution to Diabetes care in North Norfolk

 

At our AGM in January the North Norfolk Group of Diabetes UK made a special presentation to John and Doreen Hutchinson in recognition of John's serving as Group Chairman for 10 years and Doreen serving as Group Secretary for 12 years. In remarkable combination they have made a truly significant joint contribution to the Group for the benefit of this region's Diabetes sufferers.

 

Doreen and John had actively supported DUK groups for many years before moving to North Walsham but since taking the reins of the North Norfolk Group they have literally transformed its activities. This is in terms of funds raised for national research, for Norfolk's children with Diabetes (particularly for funding for the children's personal development holidays and hospital equipment), for information and support for North Norfolk's rising tide of diabetics and for constantly raising awareness of diabetes needs and care. This inevitably involves them and the group in a host of fund raising activities each year.

Always there, always supportive, John ever seeking new ways of raising funds, Doreen highly efficiently organising correspondence meetings, supermarket collections and so much else has meant that North Norfolk can reasonably claim to one of DUK'S more successful Groups.

 

Group members felt that they could not thank them enough for all their hard work and for making a difference and wished them all happiness for their planned return to the Fens.

John and Doreen were presented with wine, flowers and gift vouchers from group members.

NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2012

I was struggling to find something to write about that would be different from all the other newsletters over the years, and lo and behold 'balance' dropped through the letter box. Have you had yours yet? When it arrives turn to page 27 and have a look at the new logo. Our reaction here was 'oh dear'. Does Diabetes UK really feel that this is more meaningful than the humming bird? The reason we were given for the change was that not enough people had heard of Diabetes UK. Will this new logo make a difference? Maybe Diabetes UK should increase their advertising budget and get themselves noticed more. It might also help if they had more Voluntary Groups. If you have any comments to make on this then please get in touch with Diabetes UK via the email address given (in small print) at the bottom of the page.

Now that I've got that off my chest, I'll tell you what we've been up to in 2011. Thanks to our efforts with the Human Fruit Machine and Balloon Race on Cromer Pier and various other donations we were able to send eight children on holiday. They all had a really good time and came back feeling more positive and in control of their diabetes. We feel it is very important that these holidays continue to run so that youngsters with diabetes are able to be educated about the condition and realise that it does not prevent them from doing all the things that children without diabetes can do.

We were also able to contribute to the King's Lynn KIWI group weekend at Hilltop Activity Centre in Sheringham and to provide Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn with continuous blood glucose monitor probes for patients who have trouble maintaining their sugar levels.

At the Eastern Region Conference in Norwich at the end of October we were pleased to present a cheque for just over £7000 to Diabetes UK Chief Executive Barbara Young. This money was designated for the Research Fund.

Looking through the Group archives recently we found the Constitution of the group, which was started 31 years ago. In there it states that the Group's intention is to raise money to send children with diabetes on holiday and for research - so we've got this right at least.

Our Arty Crafty Afair in Cromer last year was a great success once again. A really big thank you to all those who donated items for sale.

We've had a good start financially to this year - £361 from the Fakenham Christmas Tree Festival. We would have had considerably less than this if it weren't for the generosity of people in Fakenham who made donations following the break-in at the Church when money was stolen. We are also due to collect a cheque from Aylsham Show Association for £500. These monies will help to pay for two children to go on holiday this year.

Dates for your diary

24 June - Walk for Diabetes - Felbrigg Estate

04 August - Arty Crafty Afair - Garden Street , Cromer

Watch out for more information on these events nearer the time.

 We are always pleased to see new faces at our meetings which are free to attend. All we ask is that you buy a raffle ticket and cup of tea! We are a very friendly group and you will be made most welcome.

 

At our recent AGM John and I retired from the committee after ten and twelve years respectively as Chairman and Secretary. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone for their support and hope that this will continue for the new officers and committee.

Doreen Hutchinson

EX Hon Secretary