Celebrities don onesies in Type 1 diabetes campaign

Si King of the Hairy Bikers and England rugby star Chris Pennell are two of those supporting the #TypeOnesie campaign for JDRF.

Chris lives with the condition, as does Si’s teenage son Dylan. Worcester Warriors player Chris said: “There’s been some remarkable work in pioneering Type 1 diabetes research recently. And with World Diabetes Day fast approaching, now more than ever is the time to help raise funds for JDRF.”

He added: “The rugby lads and I have had a great laugh dressed as a #TypeOnesie and encourage others to do the same! Please get involved and spread the word.”

The #TypeOnesie campaign sees people across the UK being sponsored to wear onesies to work or school, on or near November 14 which is World Diabetes Day. It will raise vital funds allowing JDRF to support research into projects like smart insulins – which would change lives with Type 1 diabetes by giving almost perfect blood glucose control with just one injection a day.

Si King’s son Dylan was diagnosed aged four and is one of the 29,000 children in the UK with the condition.

Si, sporting a blue JDRF onesie, shared his excitement about smart insulin approaching human trials. He said: “Smart insulin would mean the world to my family. It would mean not draining blood five or six times a day. It would psychologically free you up from thinking about the condition all the time. How marvellous is that?” 

There’s that dichotomy between having to maintain good management of the condition, but also having to ensure it doesn’t dominate your life

He added: “Type 1 diabetes is tough. There’s that dichotomy between having to maintain good management of the condition, but also having to ensure it doesn’t dominate your life. Smart insulins would be an enormous leap forward.”

Si recently supported JDRF by donating £100 for every one pound in weight lost during a weight loss campaign through his Hairy Bikers Diet Club. By losing weight, Si reduced his risk of Type 2 diabetes. But he chose to support JDRF because his son could have done nothing to avoid Type 1 diabetes, which is not linked to diet or lifestyle.

To join Chris Pennell and Si King in becoming a #TypeOnesie on or near World Diabetes Day on November 14, go to www.jdrf.org.uk for more details.