Tim meets 11 year old Ellis in Parliament to talk about Type 1 diabetes

Ellis, from Arnside, was chosen to attend Parliament by diabetes charity JDRF. He was one of sixty adults and children selected from across the country to represent their fellow diabetes patients from across the UK.

Ellis who attends Carnforth High School came to speak to Tim about his condition.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic and challenging condition. The exact cause is unclear, but it is not linked to lifestyle or diet. A child diagnosed with it at the age of five faces up to 19,000 insulin injections and 50,000 finger prick tests by the time they are 18. The condition affects 400,000 people in the UK - equivalent to more than 600 people in every constituency - and incidence is growing rapidly, particularly in those under five years old.

Tim said: "I want to thank Ellis for coming to the event and speaking to me about type1 diabetes. He told me about the true impact of type 1, upon those that live with it, their families, and the country as a whole. On behalf of all those living with this condition in Cumbria, I will be contacting the Science Minister David Willetts to ask how research into this condition can be better supported."

Karen Addington, Chief Executive of JDRF, said: "Thank you to everyone who attended the event and made it such a resounding success. The incidence of type 1 diabetes is going up and so is the cost - but UK Government spending on type 1 diabetes research is falling. Thankfully, more people are now uniting on this issue and we can be hopeful of achieving significant change."