Diabetes UK Cymru asks schools to have a PE Day for Diabetes!

Diabetes UK Cymru is asking schools to skip, jump and hula-hoop their way to raising money for the charity with a sponsored PE Day for Diabetes.

The charity has written to every primary school in Wales asking them to hold a PE Day for Diabetes on Friday 28 May to raise vital funds for the charity.

It is also a chance for schools to emphasise the importance of keeping active to pupils.

Schools can choose whatever activity they like for the sponsored PE day from skipping to running to hula-hooping.

The charity is running a poster competition as part of the event, with a prize for the winning entry. There will be another prize for the biggest fundraiser.

More than 1,400 children and young people in Wales have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

The life-long condition, which cannot be prevented and is not linked to lifestyle, is treated with insulin injections

A further 26 children in Wales have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, a condition normally diagnosed in people over the age of 40, which is often linked to being overweight.

Money raised will fund vital research into the condition and help Diabetes UK Cymru to provide support, advice and information to people with diabetes across Wales and their families.

Dai Williams, National Director of Diabetes UK Cymru: "Having a PE Day for Diabetes is a fun and simple way for schools to raise money for Diabetes UK Cymru.

"It is also a chance for schools to reinforce the importance of having an active lifestyle for children, which will reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in later life.

"Money raised by the PE Day for Diabetes will help us to support the 1,400 children diagnosed with diabetes across Wales and their families and fund research into the condition."

To sign your school up to do a PE Day for Diabetes, or for information about diabetes, call Diabetes UK Cymru on 029 2066 8276 or email wales@diabetes.org.uk.