Mother awarded for inspirational volunteer work

Sarah McDonnell from Banbridge recently received the Diabetes UK Diabetes Voices Award from Jon Bodenham, the charity’s Director of Engagement, at the Inspire Awards at the Glenavon House Hotel Cookstown.

The Inspire Awards were part of Diabetes UK Northern Ireland’s annual Volunteering Conference which celebrates the invaluable role that volunteers play across the organisation.

Sarah won the award for her ongoing campaign work with the Diabetes Voices project. She became a member of Diabetes UK in June 2009 when her son Rhys was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and since then has been an outstanding ambassador for the charity, speaking at events, supporting Diabetes UK campaign work at Stormont, providing advice to other families whose children have been recently diagnosed and also fundraising for Diabetes UK.

Sarah joined a local parent support group and has been a fantastic source of support to other mothers across Northern Ireland, willingly giving her free time to meet with them and offer advice. Sarah has recently joined Diabetes UK’s Council for People living with Diabetes in London and the Northern Ireland Advisory Council and she and her husband regularly volunteer their time to help highlight and improve the shortcomings in diabetes services for children and young people in Northern Ireland.

Sarah and her husband both work full-time and juggle a busy family life, but she remains wholly dedicated to her various roles within Diabetes UK and was judged to be truly deserving of her award.