Withington MP lends support to Diabetes Week

5.21.14pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 19th Jun 2009

John Leech is backing Diabetes UK's campaign to help people with the condition

Lib Dem MP, John Leech, is supporting leading health charity Diabetes UK's campaigning and fundraising activities during Diabetes Week this week.

With some 3.676 people with diabetes in the Manchester, Withington constituency, Mr Leech has been working closely with the organisation and is backing Diabetes Week in a bid to highlight how serious the condition is. There are 2.5 million people with diabetes in the UK and another 500,000 who have the condition and don't know it. If untreated, diabetes can lead to devastating complications including heart disease, amputation and stroke.

John Leech MP said: "I am delighted to be supporting Diabetes Week. Diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing the UK today with £1million an hour already being spent by the NHS on the condition.

"It is absolutely vital that we do all we can to combat this growing epidemic whether it is through fundraising for Diabetes UK with a Care For A Cuppa tea party or supporting the charity's campaigning activities."

Diabetes UK and the South Asian Health Foundation, launched "Diabetes UK and South Asian Health Foundation recommendations on diabetes research priorities for British South Asians"¹ at the House of Commons on 17 June 2009.

For more information about diabetes visit www.diabetes.org.uk