A TAUNTON woman who helps support and inspire people with diabetes has won a volunteering award from leading charity Diabetes UK.

Sue Briggs, 63, who used to teach maths at The Castle and Ladymead Schools, in Taunton, has been presented with the Supporting Diabetes UK Award at the charity’s regional Inspire Awards in recognition of her hard work.

Sue volunteers at diabetes events and has been a risk assessor at Diabetes UK Know Your Risk Roadshows in Somerset.

She is also a Diabetes UK diabetes voice, sharing her story in schools and inspiring others as a media volunteer, as well as sitting on the charity’s moderation panel dedicated to improving take-up of diabetes education and setting treatment targets.

As a diabetes peer supporter, Sue offered phone and e-mail support to people with the condition, and last year she and her friends created a calendar which raised more than £2,500 for the charity.

She said: "As a person with Type 1 diabetes myself, I know what it’s like to get to grips with this complex and worrying condition and I want to help others who are embarking on that journey or at risk of developing diabetes.

“It's a great honour to receive this award from Diabetes UK and be recognised for doing something I feel so strongly about.”

Annika Palmer, Diabetes UK South West regional head, said: “Sue is a great ambassador for Diabetes UK, and incredibly proactive in her volunteering.

"From interactive talks through to her highly creative calendar showcasing the work of weavers from around the UK, she is full of great ideas to raise awareness of diabetes in the local area and always ready to execute them. She is a deserved winner.

“Through our Inspire Awards we celebrate our hard-working volunteers like Sue for their contributions and highlight the positive difference their work has made to the lives of people who are living with diabetes.

“There are more than 4.5 million people with diabetes in the UK, and our dedicated volunteers help them to manage their condition, campaign to improve the quality of care available to them, fundraise for pioneering research and work to stem the rising tide of diabetes."