Diabetes UK - Milton Keynes Voluntary Group

©Diabetes UK 2001. Registered Charity Number: 215199

Milton Keynes Voluntary Group

Updated 30 January 2010.

OUR MISSION

To improve the lives of people with diabetes in the Milton Keynes area and to work towards a future without diabetes.

Note that you can now access this site via www.diabetesmk.org.uk

See below for special offer of one year's free membership of Diabetes UK

Activities Diabetes UK - Milton Keynes Voluntary Group

If you are a member of Diabetes UK and live in Milton Keynes you automatically become a member of our local group with full voting rights. Note that we have a special support group for parents of children with diabetes in the Milton Keynes area. Visit their site by clicking here.

The Committee has organised a programme of events which are open to all. Except where otherwise stated, these will be held at 7.30 for 8.00 pm at our new venue at Age Concern's Peartree Centre, 1 Chadds Lane, Peartree Bridge, Milton Keynes.

**Events for 2010/11**
2010
Tuesday 09 February	AGM, followed by a presentation on Insulin Pumps by Jane Beedie of Roche Diagnostics. This meeting will be at the Methodist Church Hall, Bletchley, MK2 2HB.
Tuesday 09 March	Vicky Stanton will speak on Aloe Vera. This will be our last meeting to be held at the Methodist Church Hall, Bletchley, MK2 2HB.
Tuesday 13 April	Presentation by Sandra Harrison-Moore, who is a Stroke Clinical Specialist. This will be the first meeting at our new venue at Peartree Bridge (see above).
Thursday 06 May	Care for a Cuppa day to be held outside the Maple Unit, Milton Keynes Hospital from 10:30 to 4:30.
Tuesday 11 May	Presentation by Gaynor Strawbridge, podiatrist at the Maple Unit.
Saturday 05 June	Plant Sale at 15 Hamilton Lane, Bletchley, MK3 7LU. 08:30am until late. (Note the new venue for this event).
Tuesday 08 June	Our president, Dr Shanthi Chandran, Diabetes Consultant at Milton Keynes General Hospital, will give a talk on diabetes.
Tuesday 13 July	Gerald Remy, "A Closer Look at your Food". Gerald is Deputy Manager of the Dietetic Dept at Milton Keynes General Hospital.
Tuesday 10 August	A presentation by Moira Walker, Renal/Diabetes Specialist Nurse.
Tuesday 14 September	Dr Charles Fox, Diabetes Specialist, will speak on "Depression and How to Beat it".
Tuesday 12 October	A presentation by Frank Moxon, a Trustee of Diabetes UK.
Tuesday 9 November	Rebecca Watkins, of Roche Diagnostics, will speak on the latest developments in Blood Glucose Monitoring.
Tuesday 14 December	Event details to follow.
2011
Tuesday 11 January	"What we can discover from your blood", by Corinne Wykes of the Haematology Department at Milton Keynes General Hospital.
Tuesday 08 February	AGM. Further details to follow.

Committee Meetings in 2010/11

These will be held at the Peartree Centre on 04 May, 20 July, 19 October and 18 January. Contact the Secretary for further details.

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News & Other Information Diabetes UK - Milton Keynes Voluntary Group

COMMITTEE NEWS Please can you help us fill the vacancies?	President: Dr Shanthi Chandran, Consultant Physician in Diabetes & Endocrinology at Milton Keynes General Hospital. Chairman: David Buckley. Secretary: Ken Plackett. Treasurer: Maria Buckley. Committee Members: Nev Crooke, Brian Bridges, Maxine Bridges, Bob Smith. Minutes Secretary: James Wiggins. Publicity Officer: Vacant. Programme Secretary: Vacant.
PUBLIC MEETING	Diabetes UK hosted a Public Meeting at Christ the Cornerstone, CMK on 27 October. The aim of the meeting was to promote the Group's work. The guest speaker was Martin Lodemore of the Diabetes Research Network.
WEST BLETCHLEY CARNIVAL 2009	Thanks to the hard work of Brian and Maxine Bridges and their team of young helpers, we achieved a net profit of £45 on this event.
SPECIAL OFFER Membership of Diabetes UK	The Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust (PCT) has agreed to pay the first year's membership subscription for anyone who wishes to join Diabetes UK. See your GP or diabetes clinic to apply.
PRESENTATIONS TO ETHNIC GROUPS	Maria Buckley, one of our committee members, has given presentations on diabetes, in Chinese, at the Milton Keynes Chinese School. Maria used bilingual visual aids that covered the causes of diabetes, its symptoms and treatments. She highlighted the work of Diabetes UK and explained how the audience could help. Amy Wong, a local diabetes specialist nurse, presided over lively Q & A sessions. Maria’s presentation skills were honed at a Diabetes UK workshop. She plans to give similar presentations to other ethnic groups in Milton Keynes
ANNUAL PLANT SALE	The plant sale in June 2009 raised £237.80 thanks, once again, to the hard work of Ken and the generosity of the donors.
DONORS	The Group is grateful to all those who have donated money. In particular, we would like to mention these recent donors: Len Collins of Guitar Breakthrough, who raised over £1,000 from his world record attempt for the largest group guitar lesson. Lorraine Hodges and Tracey Fullbrook, who raised £615 in a darts marathon for the Kathy Drewe Memorial Cup, awarded in memory of their mother. The Abbey Charitable Trust, for doubling the sum raised by Tracey and Lorraine. Nurses Sue Braddish and Kathy Sharkey, who raised over £3,000 on a sponsored walk on the Great Wall of China. The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, who donated £1,000. The Bedfordshire Steam Engine Club, who donated £200. The Canzonetta Singers, who helped the Group collect over £1,000 for Research into Diabetes with their Christmas Carol Concerts at Tesco's and Morrison's supermarkets. Martin Hynes, who donated £50. Maria Buckley for the proceeds of her book, Hand in Hand (see below). Mrs T Fuller, £120 Mrs B Sellars, £70 Brian and Maxine Bridges, £73.50 Maria Buckley, £87 Waitrose Supermarket, £320 Great Horwood Silver Band, £500 Mrs M Fisher, in memory of her husband, £200 Mrs C Kempthorne £30 in memory of her mother, Mrs Ethel Rose Saunders
DONATIONS TO MK HOSPITAL	The Group has donated a Doppler machine to the hospital. This will help the podiatrists with the early diagnosis of foot problems in patients with diabetes. The Group purchased an LCD projector to assist the hospital in diabetes education and training.
EXPERIENCES WITH DIABETES	Our committee member, Maria Buckley, has written a Millennium Award winning book, Hand in Hand, presenting the first-hand views of people with diabetes, health-care professionals and people from voluntary groups. The book was written to raise awareness of diabetes and help foster improved standards of diabetes care. All proceeds from the sale of the book, which costs two pounds, are donated to the Voluntary Group. Contact Ken or David for details.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED	Please contact us if you are willing to help, even if only in a small way. Currently, we are looking for a Programme Secretary, a Publicity Officer and general committee members.
RAFFLES	Suitable items for fundraising raffles or auctions are always welcome.
USED POSTAGE STAMPS	These are always welcome. Please contact the Hon. Secretary (see below).
SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!	We rely on charitable donations to improve the level of diabetes care and constantly seek new ideas and new ways of raising funds. Please tell us if you have any ideas.

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Hon. Secretary, Ken Plackett	e-mail:	click here
Treasurer, Maria Buckley	e-mail:	click here
MK Kids with Diabetes	link	www.mkkidswithdiabetes.org
Diabetes UK main website	link	www.diabetes.org.uk
Diabetes UK Careline (local rate)	phone	0845 120 2960
Link to South Northants Voluntary Group site	link	www.sndg.co.uk

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IMPORTANT NOTE

The information on this site is for general use only and is not intended to provide personal medical advice or be a substitute for the advice of your physician. If you have questions or concerns about individual health matters or the management of your diabetes, please consult your diabetes care team. Any products that may be mentioned on this website are not necessarily endorsed by Diabetes UK.