Diabetes UK is calling on people from across the South West to get involved with Diabetes Week from Sunday, June 8, to Saturday, June 14.

The charity needs many voices to unite and make a noise about Diabetes Week and help raise awareness of the condition.

Money raised at the events will pay for research and support for the 3.8 million people in the UK with the condition.

The theme of this year’s Diabetes Week is ‘iCan’ and people are invited to share their story of living with diabetes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag #iCan.

The aim is show that living with diabetes does not stop people achieving great things.

During Diabetes Week there is a Big Collection taking place in 300 Tesco stores across the country from June 13 to 15.

More than £11 million has already been raised for Diabetes UK through their national charity partnership with Tesco.

The charity is encouraging supporters to organise walks in their own area.

These don’t have to be big events, but could be a walk to school or work week, or joining colleagues for a lunchtime walk away from the office.

Phaedra Perry, regional manager for Diabetes UK, said: “Diabetes Week is a fantastic way for us to help raise awareness and promote a better understanding of the condition, which affects 3.8 million people and their families in the UK.

"The money that we raise during Diabetes Week helps us continue with our work as the leading UK charity for people with diabetes.

"Diabetes UK helps people manage their diabetes effectively by providing information, advice and support.

"We campaign to improve the quality of care across the UK’s health services and we fund pioneering research into care, cure and prevention of all types of diabetes.”

To order a fundraising pack or to find out how to organise a walk, visit www.diabetes.org.uk/walk-for-diabetes