A Cardiff family who have raised more than £70,000 for Diabetes UK Cymru in memory of their 13-year-old son are hosting a fundraising Summer Ball on Saturday 2 June.
The event celebrates the life and legacy of Beth and Stuart Baldwin’s son Peter, 13, who passed away from undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes aged in 2015. Since then Beth, Stuart and Peter’s sister Lia, 12, have campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness of the condition, hosting a multitude of fundraising events and presenting to Assembly Members at the Senedd.
The event, to be held at The Exchange Hotel in Cardiff, will coincide with one year since the family helped launch Diabetes UK Cymru’s Know Type 1 campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, which can develop very quickly.
Around one in four children are not diagnosed until they are seriously unwell with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition requiring urgent medical attention. Know Type 1 encourages people to remember the 4Ts of Type 1 diabetes: Toilet, Thirsty, Tired, Thinner. If a child is going to the toilet a lot, has increased thirst which they can’t quench, is more tired than usual or is losing weight (getting thinner), take them to their GP immediately for a finger-prick test.
Since the campaign launched in June 2017:
- It has been seen by more than 1 million people across Wales.
- Swansea University and Cardiff University Schools of Medicine have agreed to show the campaign video in all undergraduate training.
- Beth Baldwin has provided verbal evidence to the Petitions Committee on early diagnosis at the National Assembly for Wales, and met with Cabinet Secretary for Health Vaughan Gething.
- It has been promoted at primary and secondary care link meetings, attended by more than 400 GPs.
Beth Baldwin said:
“Losing a child is something that no family should have to go through and now it’s our mission to make sure that everyone has the 4Ts of Type 1 diabetes at the front of their minds. Being able to recognise the symptoms, get a quick diagnosis, and early treatment could save a child’s life.
“This is Peter’s legacy and we know he would be so proud of what we have achieved so far. There is still more to do, and it’s all about helping as many other families as we can.”
Dai Williams, National Director, Diabetes UK Cymru, said:
“We’re so incredibly grateful to the Baldwins for their continued campaigning and fundraising for Diabetes UK Cymru, in memory of Peter. They are an inspirational family whose efforts have raised crucial funds and awareness of the symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. Thanks to their hard work, children will be diagnosed sooner, and more safely, before they become seriously ill.
“Peter’s Summer Ball is always a truly magical event and we are really looking forward to a fantastic evening of celebration, fundraising and remembrance.”
The evening will include three-course dinner, raffle and an auction with exciting prizes including a pair of signed boots from Welsh rugby ace Josh Adams and an Everton football shirt.
There will also be a special performance by Cardiff’s own X Factor star, Helen Fulthorpe. The singer’s son, Joe, 16, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2013 and like the Baldwins, Helen remains passionate about raising awareness of the signs and symptoms.
To book tickets, call Beth on 07779 606877.
To find out more about Know Type 1, visit https://www.diabetes.org.uk/in_your_area/wales/campaigning/know-type-1—wales
