In the region, the area with the highest prevalence was Luton where 8.4 per cent of people were diagnosed with diabetes, followed by Norfolk and Waveney CCG and West Suffolk CCG  (both 7.6 per cent). The lowest in the East of England was Herts Valley CCG with 6 per cent while the national average was 7.1 per cent.

Father-of-two Spencer Hoadly, 43, decided to take on the challenge of two ultra marathons as a way of thanking us for our support and motivating himself and others to keep fit and active.

Spencer (pictured after completing the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon) lives in Kings Langley and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 14.

Dr Jason Cheung (pictured), clinical lead for the inpatient diabetes service at Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, was chosen for his passion, and commitment to excellence in diabetes care.

The schools were chosen for the Diabetes UK ‘Good Diabetes Care in School Award 2020’ because of the support they provide to students with the condition, the help offered to manage their diabetes safely, and the care they take to include them in all school activities. 

The collaborative initiative between Diabetes UK, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) will see key information given with prescriptions to people living with diabetes.

84-year-old Colin Bedford (pictured) will cycle five miles a day for five days. Each time he will complete the challenge on a different one of his own historic bikes, while wearing costumes matching the bike’s era.

Kouros Majidi, 51, (pictured) is committed to getting as fit as possible and losing some excess weight in a bid to put his type 2 diabetes into remission.

These amazing supporters received inspire awards to recognise the variety and depth of vital support they offer in their communities.

A wide range of activities from fundraising and running peer support groups to event management and campaigning are carried out daily.

Increase in number of people diagnosed

We are releasing today new analysis that shows that the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the East of England has increased from 338,118 to 352,356 since last year. 

In the UK 3.9 million people are currently living with a diagnosis of diabetes, and 90% of those with type 2 diabetes.