Husband and wife are Diabetes UK volunteers of the year (From Sutton Guardian)

Husband and wife Michael and Shirley Mitchell from Cheam are Diabetes UK volunteers of the year

8:00am Monday 4th February 2013 in News By Sophia Sleigh, Reporter

A husband and wife have won volunteer of the year for over 20 years of dedication to Diabetes UK.

Michael Mitchell, 69, and his wife, Shirley, 67, from Cheam, were presented with their award by Diabetes UK’s President, Richard Lane OBE.

The couple have volunteered for the charity for over 20 years and during this time they have run hundreds of awareness sessions.

They recently campaigned alongside the Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Burstow, to ensure the medical and educational needs of young people with diabetes in schools were considered.

As a result of their work a key change in policy for schools in Sutton was agreed.

Mrs Mitchell said: “It feels very special to be rewarded for our work by Diabetes UK.

"Michael and I have always felt that if our input can make a difference to just one person then our efforts have been worthwhile. When people with diabetes and their carers thank us it definitely makes all the work feel incredibly worthwhile.

"I have diabetes and Michael doesn’t but we both seem to live it 24/7 because of our volunteering.”