DiabeteSuffolk Website Launches Children’s Competition

2 August 2004

The West Suffolk Diabetes website – www.DiabeteSuffolk.com – is launching a competition for children, with an Apple iPOD or portable DVD player as the prize for the best entry.

The competition invites children under the age of 16 to contribute to a section of the website ‘designed by children for children’.

“The idea is to get children to develop the pages of the website themselves,” said Dr Nishan Wijenaike, Consultant Diabetologist at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds and originator of the website.  “Anyone under 16 in the UK with diabetes can enter.

“At the moment, the website contains a lot of information for adults but not much specifically for children. If we can get young people to design and write this part of the site themselves, then hopefully their peers will be more receptive to the information it provides.

“We want children who enter the competition to research about diabetes themselves, using the Internet and libraries. We would encourage them to use graphics and images that will appeal to younger people – to make the website as ‘cool’ as possible!”

The website contains advice about living with and managing diabetes. The site covers over a hundred different topics ranging from the latest developments in Blood Glucose monitoring to advice on travel. As well as links to other organisations such as DiabetesUK, the site includes the latest news stories in the field, recent research developments and recipes suitable for people with diabetes. 

“We have designed the site to appeal to anyone with an interest in diabetes, either on a personal or professional level,” said Dr Wijenaike,  “It is intended to be a comprehensive resource for Suffolk, providing general information about diabetes as well as explaining how people can access local services, help and support.”

The website contains lifestyle information which may help people ‘at risk’ to improve their awareness of diabetes, and thereby reduce their chances of developing the condition.

There are around 75 children in west Suffolk with diabetes, who receive specialist treatment through the paediatric diabetes clinic at the West Suffolk Hospital.

“When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, it is very important to begin treatment as early as possible,” said Dr Wijenaike. “Management of the condition can be difficult in younger people, especially teenagers who usually don’t like to be regimented or imposed upon.

“As far as I know, we are the first website in the UK to offer a competition of this kind. As well as being educational for those who take part, it should also be fun. The bottom line of course, is to improve patient care by providing people with the information they need to live healthy lives.”

As well as the first prize of an Apple iPOD or portable DVD player, a second prize of a choice of Sony Playstation or Digital Camera is on offer. There are two simple categories – one for west Suffolk residents and one for those living outside of the area.

Consolation prizes of £10 gift vouchers will also be given to anyone whose work is used on the site. Entries, which may be made either in electronic or paper-based form,  must be of high quality to win a prize. Obviously, the authors must be happy for their work to be displayed on the Internet.

The competition closes on October 31st, with winning entries published on December 1st. For more information, visit the website at www.DiabeteSuffolk.com.