Two of Cheltenham's most iconic landmarks will light up in blue this Saturday (14 November) to raise awareness for World Diabetes Day.
Following a request from the town's MP, Alex Chalk, The Cheltenham Trust, who manage Cheltenham's cultural venues, have agreed to light up Leisure at Cheltenham and Cheltenham Town Hall to recognise this rapidly growing public health concern.
In Gloucestershire alone, over 30,000 people suffer from diabetes, accounting for 6.1% of the county's population. The condition continues to place increasing pressure upon the country's health services, with 10% of the NHS budget now dedicated to managing diabetes.
Cheltenham’s iconic landmarks are the latest in a long list set to light up this weekend across the world, including the London Eye, Table Top Mountain in Cape Town and Number 10 Downing Street.
Speaking following the announcement, Cheltenham's MP Alex Chalk commented:
''I'm delighted that The Cheltenham Trust have agreed to assist my efforts to raise awareness of World Diabetes Day. Diabetes is an increasingly significant public health issue, and as a society we need to become better educated about the dangers associated with a modern lifestyle. Lighting up our town's iconic venues in blue will serve as an important reminder of the task we face in tackling diabetes.''
Keith Vaz MP, the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes, said:
''This year's World Diabetes Day looks set to be the most successful yet in highlighting the dangers of diabetes. I am delighted that Alex Chalk has led such a superb awareness campaign in Cheltenham.''
Stephen Petherick, Head of Commercial Services at the Cheltenham Trust, added:
“We are very proud to be part of this global effort to raise awareness of diabetes. The activity aligns with our work to support the health and wellbeing of people in and around Cheltenham.”