Diabetes Awareness Week 2016 runs from 12 – 18 June and with this in mind we have chosen Chris Pennell as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month.

Chris is a professional rugby player with Worcester Warriors and an Ambassador for Diabetes UK.  Chris was first diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes when he was 19 years old by the medical team at Worcester Warriors and is the only professional rugby player with the condition.  He thought this meant he would have to look for a career outside of professional rugby but soon realised that, if the condition is managed correctly, it is something that shouldn’t be a barrier for anyone.

Chris found coming to terms with his diagnosis difficult but found inspiration in other people who suffer from the condition like Sir Steve Redgrave who won his fifth consecutive gold medal at the Sydney Olympics three years after finding out that he was diabetic.

Chris is a supremely talented rugby player, he is a product of the Warriors Academy and made his Premiership debut against Bath Rugby in 2007.  To date he has played 165 times scoring 252 points for the club.  He has represented England at under 19’s level, the Saxons and the full England team making his debut against New Zealand at Eden Park in 2014.

As part of his role with Diabetes UK, Chris helps to raise awareness of the condition and attends fundraising events across the country.  Chief Executive of Diabetes UK Barbara Young considers Chris to be a fantastic role model to young people with diabetes.  She thinks that through his career as a top sportsman, he has proven that having diabetes does not have to hold you back.

To find out more about Diabetes Awareness Week see here https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Get_involved/Diabetes-Week/

Find out more about Chris via Twitter https://twitter.com/chris_pennell