Zoe Gant, a midwife at Lincoln County Hospital, was diagnosed with type one diabetes when she was just four years old.
When she was a child, Zoe’s parents helped create support networks for families by fundraising and organising events, allowing them the chance to meet people in the same situation.
Her mum, Pam, even received a letter from then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, thanking her for campaigning to allow insulin syringes to be available on prescription rather than having to be bought.
Zoe has followed in her parents’ footsteps ever since her then nearly four-year-old son was diagnosed with type one diabetes while staying on Rainforest Ward at Lincoln County Hospital.
Zoe said: “The Children’s Diabetes Team at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust are amazing and are always there for their patients and families.
“With the help of the team and the support of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity we have organised a series of informal meet ups for children and their families. This has included a great time where we took the children swimming followed by food. It was lovely to see each child not feel self-conscious checking their blood sugar levels and giving their insulin. We have also been trampolining, ten pin bowling and to the Arcade Warehouse.
“One parent said that her son wouldn’t go out or meet new people after his diagnosis, but he absolutely loved the bowling event because he felt the same as everyone else.”
The United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity provides patients and staff with the extras not funded through the NHS. These are the things that can often make a massive difference, such as funding for the trips.
Zoe added: “We have been really lucky to have had the support of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity. They have helped fund lots of events for children with type one diabetes, from swimming and Jump Inc to arcades and bowling. As a way of showing my thanks for their support and to help raise funds, I have decided to organise an evening of fun and singing.”
Zoe has arranged for Gary Barlow tribute act, Dan Hadfield, to perform from 7pm on Saturday 22 June at the Hospital Club, Lincoln.
Ben Petts, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity manager, said: “It’s great to see staff supporting the charity, it really does make a massive difference. Thanks to generous donations we have funded lots of other work for children’s causes this year.”
The event will raise funds for the charity, but every penny will be used to fund further activities so children with type one diabetes can meet, socialise and realise they are not alone.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite. Anyone wanting to make a donation or donate a raffle prize should email [email protected].
PRESS RELEASE BY JAMIE JOHNSON