Newport County AFC will be using Sunday’s Emirates FA cup third round clash with Premier League club Brighton and Hove Albion to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and the work of type 1 diabetes charity, JDRF.
2021 sees the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of insulin. Sunday's game also falls on the eve of the 99th anniversary of the first insulin injection, given to a 14-year-old type 1 diabetes patient in 1922. This ground-breaking moment marked the beginning of the successful use of insulin to treat type 1 diabetes.
Today in the UK, 400,000 people with type 1 diabetes – including 29,000 children – rely on insulin to stay alive.
Both clubs will wear JDRF tops during the warm-up prior to Sunday’s game, which is being broadcast on BT Sport 1 from 7:15pm (kick off at 7:45pm). Representatives of both clubs will be wearing JDRF pins, and Rufus — the JDRF teddy given to all newly diagnosed children to practice insulin injections on — will be in attendance.
Matchday will also see Newport County Equality Director, Colin Faulkner, complete a fundraising challenge to walk 100 miles over the first 10 days of 2021. Colin’s walk is part of JDRF’s 100 Challenge, which marks the 100 year anniversary of the discovery of insulin by asking supporters to pick a challenge themed around the number 100. The money that Colin raises will help support JDRF’s programme of research to improve life for people with type 1 diabetes and, one day, eradicate the condition for good.
Miranda Burdett, JDRF Regional Fundraiser for Wales, said: “We are delighted that Newport County AFC have chosen this high-profile match to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and JDRF. We will be rooting for them during the game, and looking out for Rufus who will hopefully make the substitutions bench!
"We’re really thankful to Brighton and Hove Albion also for helping to raise awareness."
Find out more about Colin’s fundraising walk: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jdrf100challenge
Find out more about the 100 Challenge: https://jdrf1.enthuse.com/cf/100-challenge
About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organisation funding type 1 diabetes research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than £1 billion since our inception. We collaborate with the most talented minds to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with type 1 diabetes. Our staff and volunteers around the globe are dedicated to campaigning for our vision of a world without type 1 diabetes.
For more information, please visit jdrf.org.uk or follow us on Twitter: @JDRFUK.