A campaign to increase awareness of diabetes and its affects is planned in the next 12 months by the Mansfield DiabetesUK Voluntary Group.

The initiative was agreed at the group’s annual meeting when it was reported that Mansfield and Ashfield had around 10,000 people diagnosed with the condition with a 50% growth predicted in the next few years.

The group is planning to support diabetes awareness in care homes and schools, and hold a public awareness event linked to World Diabetes Day in November.

Mansfield is also scheduled to be visited by the DiabetesUK roadshow in October.

Re-elected were president Dr Hisham Maksoud, chairman Elaine Downs, secretary Margaret Jones, treasurer Sheila Brown, committee Steve Wood, Ian Lakin, Val Reeson and Peter Green.

Committee member Joyce Plumtree retired after 28 years on the committee.

The group’s next meeting is on 12th April in Clinic 5 at King’s Mill Hospital, Sutton, at 7.15pm.