Tilly is raising funds to help youngsters living with diabetes

A young Hellesdon woman has been selected to travel to South Africa as part of a project to support children with diabetes.

Tilly Dade, 18, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was just four and is looking forward to visiting Cape Town with the East of England Children and Young People’s Diabetes Network.

She is currently trying to raise £3,500 to cover the cost of her trip, scheduled to take place in the spring of next year, and is nearly halfway towards her target.

Tilly is currently at Langley School and will sit her A-levels in the summer. She has an offer from the UEA to study as a children’s and young person’s nurse.

Tilly, who was one of 10 young adults selected to travel to South Africa, said: “We will be hosting a diabetes education and activity camp for children from Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town.

“Tygerberg Hospital serves a large population, with many coming from the Cape Flats, an area of multiple townships where children and their families live in extreme poverty. The camp will provide us with the opportunity to meet peers with type 1 diabetes, learn about each other’s culture and what it means to be a young person with type 1 in these countries.

“The children and young people from Cape Town will be able to experience various activities they may not otherwise have the opportunity to try, and to learn more about their health condition.

“The young people from the East of England, supported by health care professionals from around the region, will lead education sessions covering various aspects of diabetes management. For many of the participants from Tygerberg, this may be the first time that they have been able to learn further about their diabetes since diagnosis.

Tilly and her colleagues will also be taking part in a social impact project, working with a girls’ football team in another of Cape Town’s townships.
Tilly added: “The project aims to give all participants the opportunity to form relationships with others from both the East of England and peers from Cape Town with diabetes; the opportunity to travel and experience a new culture.”

Tilly has so far raised more than £1,400 through donations, holding craft fairs, selling clothes and babysitting.

To make a donation to help Tilly take part in the camp, visit the Just Giving website (www.justgiving.com) and search for Tilly Rose Dade.

SUPPORT: Tilly Dade, who is raising funds to travel to South Africa to help young people with diabetes.

FUNDRAISING EVENT

Tilly Dade has organised a quiz and chip night at Hellesdon Community Centre for Saturday, March 1 (doors open at 6.30pm and the quiz will start at 7.30pm).
Tickets cost £12 and will include a chip supper (various options available).
Tilly needs more than 50 people to attend to cover the costs of the event. The night will feature a raffle and Tilly is appealing for donations for prizes. She is also looking for a sponsor to cover the £150 it will cost to stage the quiz and chip night. In return, she will offer advertising before, during and after the event.
To buy a ticket and to find out more, please email Tilly’s mum Sam Dade at sam_dade@hotmail.co.uk