DIABETES UK is looking for volunteers to help raise awareness of the risks of undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes across north Hampshire.

The charity has joined Tesco to deliver the “Know your Risk” roadshow at the Top of The Town on July 20 and July 21, and is recruiting volunteers to help members of the public find out about the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes and to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle in reducing this risk.

Diabetes can lead to health complications including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and limb amputation and half of the people with Type 2 diabetes will show signs of these complications by the time they are diagnosed. But the risk of developing these complications can be reduced by being seen by a doctor.

The role of volunteers at the roadshow will be to raise awareness of diabetes and the charity, talk to those at risk of developing the condition, carry out risk assessments and encourage those at risk to visit their GP if necessary.

Emily Bari, Diabetes UK south east volunteer development officer, said: “Finding out people's risk is a vital part of our work to encourage early diagnosis in order to help them avoid the devastating consequences of undiagnosed diabetes and target those at risk of developing the condition to reduce their risk."

“Diabetes UK provides all the necessary training and our roadshows are great events to be involved with

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Basingstoke roadshow can email south.east@diabetes.org.uk or call on 01372 720 148.