Former diabetes MP joins JDRF charity
The former MP and previous chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diabetes has been made a vice-president of JDRF, the charity has announced.
Adrian Sanders, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 25 years, was a Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Torbay in Devon from 1997 until 2015.
In the last week Adrian made a return to politics after being elected as the newest councillor on Torbay Council, receiving almost 70 per cent of the vote in a by-election in the Clifton with Maidenway ward in Paignton.
‘Useful skills’
Adrian said: “I am delighted and honoured to become a vice-president of JDRF. This is a charity close to my heart ― as well as living with the condition, I have been campaigning for improvements in type 1 diabetes care and research throughout my parliamentary career.
We are extremely pleased and honoured to have Adrian on board.
“It was truly inspiring to meet JDRF supporters at the Type 1 Discovery Day in Exeter this weekend and to get to see first-hand the challenges facing people of all ages living with the condition.
“I hope I can bring a lot to the table and will use my 18 years of experience as a Member of Parliament to assist JDRF in the wonderful campaigning work it does to improve life for people with this condition.”
Karen Addington, chief executive of JDRF in the UK said: “We are extremely pleased and honoured to have Adrian on board. His experience as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes and the commitment he showed in that role demonstrate the useful skills Adrian will be able to provide. We are excited to have Adrian as a vice-president as we continue our search for the cure for type 1 diabetes.”
JDRF is a charity which provides support to people with type 1 diabetes and their families. The organisation is also committed to eradicating type 1 diabetes and funds research to help cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes.
For more information on Adrian you can follow him on Twitter @adriansanders or on his Facebook page.