A BERE Alston resident who has been diabetic for more than 21 years is hoping to start a group in the area for those affected by the condition.
Clive Simpson, who was diagnosed at 58 and requires insulin injections twice daily, said he wanted to set up the group for the Bere Peninsula in the new year.
He said: 'The purpose of the group will be to discuss diabetes and to receive up-to-date information. People get frightened by it and the more we get together to pass on experiences and knowledge the happier they will be.
'There are many factors arising about diabetes with discoveries which have an important impact for the future.'
Clive, who belongs to the Diabetes Campaigners Network, added: 'More than ever, sufferers need to have a voice which can go as high as Government for improvements and spread of knowledge which can help those with diabetes and those who have yet to be diagnosed.'
One and a quarter million people are known to have the condition, but it is estimated that a further million remain undiagnosed. Type 1 diabetes, which is insulin-controlled, is normally
diagnosed by age 18.
Type 2 tends to affect people later in life and those who are overweight or have a family history of diabetes are at a greater risk. Type 2 is variably controlled by diet, tablets or insulin and is not the 'lesser condition' many people believe.
Clive said the first meeting would take place in the health centre in Bere Alston, with a doctor as speaker, on a date to be arranged. Anyone interested in joining the group — whether they have the condition or help someone with it — is asked to contact Clive on 01822 840598.