On 3rd March, I’m hosting a charity fundraiser at Terrace Bar inside Leeds University Union raising money for Diabetes UK and I’d love people to come along and support.
The event will run from 5–10pm and will feature four live DJs, each bringing their own mixing style and energy to the night. There’ll also be a raffle and opportunities to donate throughout the evening. It’s designed to be light-hearted and social where everyone can dance, bring friends and have a drink. However, it also has a deeper purpose.
I’ve lived with Type 1 diabetes for 11 years. I was diagnosed at age 10, just two weeks after my younger brother Harry was born. What started as hip pain quickly became extreme thirst, fatigue, and dramatic weight loss. I spent a week in hospital and then slowly returned to school while learning how to manage a condition that suddenly became part of every day of my life. Not long after, I became one of the fastest people in the South of England to move onto an insulin pump. I started on the Animas pump before switching to Omnipod, which I still use today.
Now, as a university student, life looks very different but diabetes is still something I have to think about daily. It affects how I plan my meals, nights out, exercise, and even spontaneous adventures. But I don’t let it stop me.
I love dancing. I love hiking. I love bread. I love wine. I love clubbing.
There’s a huge misunderstanding that diabetics can’t eat sweets, drink alcohol, or exercise like everyone else but we absolutely can. We just have to think a little beforehand. And honestly, what’s an hour of planning compared to a lifetime of memories?
During the evening, I’ll also be sharing my story in more detail and talking openly about what living with Type 1 diabetes actually looks like day to day. I’ll be addressing common misconceptions I hear all the time, clearing them up with facts, and sharing some light-hearted stories from my own experiences. My goal is to help reduce stigma and make conversations around diabetes more informed, open, and human.
All money raised will go directly to Diabetes UK, who are leading the fight against the UK’s fastest-growing health crisis through research, education, and support. Their work helps people like me live fuller lives and pushes upcoming technological development and research in the field.
This event is about bringing people together through music, community, and shared understanding. Whether you come along on the night or choose to donate online, every bit of support means more than I can say. So join me in Terrace, 3rd of March, to discover diabetes with me!
Written by Holly Hewins
