Glengormley man picks up Inspire Award

Arthur Templeton was presented with the Campaigning and Raising Awareness Award in recognition of his hard work, at the charity’s regional Inspire Awards, held in the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre on Saturday, February 6.

Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2010, the former Newtownabbey councillor was referred to a structured diabetes programme to learn how he could self-manage his condition. He has described his experience as a new learning adventure coming to terms with a condition he will live with for the rest of his life.

“I went to the Diabetes UK website and was introduced to a whole new world about looking after myself and having the right questions to ask when I met the practice nurse and my GP. I was only too happy to spread a positive message to others as a volunteer that you can control your diabetes and live as close to normal a life as possible,” Arthur said.

Thanking Arthur for his efforts on behalf of the 86,000 people in Northern Ireland diagnosed with diabetes, Dr David Chaney, National Director at Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, said: “Patient experiences are hugely important and can make the difference between confidently managing diabetes and letting the condition take control of you. Arthur knows what good diabetes care is and so campaigns for better diabetes services for all and brings a lot of his own experiences to the table.

“Through our Inspire Awards we thank our hard working volunteers, like Arthur, for their contributions and highlight the positive difference their work has made to the lives of people who are living with diabetes.”