Senior Parliamentarians attended the Annual Diabetes Charity event, the Silver Star Diabetes Health Challenge as part of Diwali at Westminster in House of Commons.
Ed Vaizey MP, the Minister of State for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, Philip Dunne MP, Minister for Defence Procurement, Rt Hon Alex Salmond MP, Former First Minister of Scotland, Gregory Campbell MP, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Northern Ireland) and the Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP, Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee along with other Members of Parliament were issued with a Silver Star Diabetes Pedometer. The pedometer will measure the amount of steps taken on a chosen day and see who can take the most steps. They were also joined by Reverend Jesse Jackson the International Patron of Silver Star Diabetes.
Rt Hon Matthew Hancock MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office is the current holder of the Health Challenge. The MPs also took the quick and easy diabetes test to help raise awareness of the need for public testing of the condition. Special guest Chizzy Akudolu who plays Dr. Mo in BBC’s Holby City, joined in the efforts to highlight the problem of diabetes, and handed the MPs with a pedometer.
Silver Star Diabetes is a national charity which seeks to raise awareness of diabetes through advocacy and delivering free diabetes testing and lifestyle advice to the general public. The Charity runs Mobile Diabetes Units (MDU's). The MDUs travel out into the community, to places of work, worship, community events, High Street and retail parks testing the public for free for diabetes and offering lifestyle advice. During these visits its staff has discovered thousands of people who have a propensity for diabetes who did not know about it. The event was supported by Astra Zeneca and Abbott Diabetes Care
Dr Modhwadia, Chairman of the Trustees for Silver Star Diabetes said: “I am delighted that so many MPs have decided to take the test and have taken the pedometer challenge to raise awareness of this largely unseen health condition. Silver Star Diabetes has tested over 49,000 people for diabetes and continues to reach out to communities to raise awareness for the condition. Being tested is important to ensure that the condition is spotted early and people can get the right treatment as soon as possible.”
Chizzy Akudolu who plays Dr. Mo in BBC’s Holby City said: “The event was a great success. It’s wonderful to see that the work of Silver Star Diabetes is continuing to raise awareness for diabetes. I am always delighted to contribute to this very worthwhile cause.”
Professor Jonathan Valabhji, National Clinical Director for Obesity and Diabetes at NHS England said: “Diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges we face today in the UK. There are 3.2 million people living with diabetes, the majority of whom have Type 2 diabetes, the onset of which can be prevented or delayed by a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle, and I applaud Silver Star’s efforts to provide practical support and information to so many MPs who have decided to take the test and take the pedometer challenge to raise awareness of this health condition.”
