Yesterday, I had the pleasure of volunteering with JDRF Midlands at their latest event! The Onederland Festival at Drayton Manor. JDRF had set up several 'carnival' themed games. From 'Splat the Rat' to 'Guess the weight of the cake'. Parents and their little ones could enjoy the games before sitting down to a buffet meal and entertainment. Entertainment included a magician and a live band! (Who were very, very good). JDRF also did a raffle with some great prizes, like a family trip to Cadbury World. And a bit of DJ music at the end... for the kids who were still standing! This was my first time volunteering at an event. Apprehensive at first, I was soon welcomed to the family. (Literally, 90% of them were related or dating! It was great). I'd spoken to one of the main event organisers before, Jayme, she was the lady emailing me about my paragliding fundraising. So it was great to finally meet in person!
Honest to god, I did try to help them! And I warned them to be safe and encouraged their parents to do it with them. Some children just wanted to do it by themselves. (It's okay, there were no serious injuries - only lessons learned). It got a little easier from that point onwards. And between all the fun, games and raffle tickets... over £3000 was raised!
By 10pm, somehow the kids were still going. However, now they were more interested in playing with the prizes they'd won than the actual games. (Bouncy balls flying in every direction). So I was sat talking to my new friend Jayne, also a first time volunteer. And it was probably the first time in my life I had been surrounded by children with diabetes. Obviously not all of them were, some were their friends and family. But it was great. The fact they'd all been brought out for the night to have a great time and celebrate diabetes. And that every single one of them was beaming from ear to ear! Diabetes is important. It's also important to be a kid . This event brought the two together. A place for tiny T1D's to meet other tiny T1D's. And for all the kids, diabetic or not, to get along and have a great time. (I'm sure the parents didn't mind meeting each other, either!) I can't remember attending an event like this as a child. I don't know if they even existed?! All I know is, whatever age you are, meeting new people with diabetes is always a blessing.
Take every opportunity you can :)
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