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.“