A CUMBRIAN MP has hosted a national event to highlight the work carried out by a leading charity.
Copeland MP, Jamie Reed, hosted the #Type1Catalyst event that took place in parliament on Monday on behalf of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).
This event brought together families across the country for the launch of a new report into work being carried out to prevent, treat and cure type one diabetes.
The report paints a positive picture of UK research into the condition and reveals that seven funders have committed funding to tackle the condition, amounting to £97m in the UK.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jamie <a href="https://twitter.com/jreedmp">@jreedmp</a> addresses everyone at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/type1catalyst?src=hash">#type1catalyst</a><br>Says Type1's can do anything, even be an MP if u really want to <a href="https://t.co/BBR2T8VSIj">pic.twitter.com/BBR2T8VSIj</a></p>— Oceantragic / KevW (@OceanTragic) <a href="https://twitter.com/OceanTragic/status/724628249595269120">April 25, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Living with type one diabetes himself, Mr Reed is a huge supporter of the charity and ran Sunday's London Marathon to raise money for the charity.
Completing the course in 4:22:38, Mr Reed has raised almost £2,000 for the charity so far.
Type 1 diabetes affects about 400,000 people in the UK, including 29,000 children.
Speaking at the #Type1Catalyst event, Jamie Reed MP explained that as a type 1 diabetic himself with a 10 year old son who has recently been diagnosed with the condition, research and support for those living with type 1 diabetes is a cause particularly close to his heart.
He sent a clear message to all the children at the event – that they can grow up to do anything that they want to do, and that being type one diabetic should never hold them back.
He said: “The NHS saved my life, but I know that type 1 diabetes needs to be better understood, that people with the condition require a much better service than the one we currently receive, and that we must find a cure.
“That’s why I support the invaluable work undertaken by JDRF, why I will continue to champion the cause in Parliament, and why I would encourage anyone to contact their MP to ask them to do the same.“
35,000 runners. Only 29 of them with Type1 Diabetes. One of them was me. Best half marathon time in 10 years.
— Jamie Reed (@jreedmp) April 24, 2016
Thanks #JDRF
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