Funding boost for type 1 charity

Families affected by type 1 diabetes will benefit from the fundraising efforts of the world’s largest asset management firm, it has been announced.

Staff from BlackRock, who aim to raise up to £500,000 this year, voted to support JDRF as its Charity of the Year.

The charity said Blackrock were “moved” by the stories of families who outlined how challenging type 1 diabetes can be.

Elie Kelpie of JDRF said: “We are so excited, thankful and grateful to have this incredible support from BlackRock. Together, we will make a genuine difference to families living with type 1 diabetes.”

She added: “Type 1 diabetes requires intensive management throughout the day and night. Children and adults living with it must inject insulin every day to stay alive. The peak age for diagnosis in the UK is between 10 and 14 years – but it’s especially on the rise in younger children.”

JDRF will also receive support from the Lord Mayor of the City of London throughout 2016 and the charity said that 2016 is “shaping up to be a year of exceptional support from the business community for type 1 diabetes issues”.

As well as its teams in London and Peterborough, BlackRock has staff in cities around the world.