Classical musicians to come together for diabetes fundraiser

A trio of classical musicians are to combine their special talents this summer to help raise money for diabetes charity.
Principal performer, soprano Abigail Kelly, viola player Adam Gibbs and pianist Jo Ramadan will take centre stage at the Summertime Gala Concert on Saturday 29 June to raise funds and awareness of the growing problem of diabetes in minority ethnic groups.
The concert, which will be held at the world’s famous St John’s Smith Square in central London, has been set up by Susan Haynes-Elcock, a diabetes healthy living coach.
After suffering the trauma of a diabetic coma in 2008, Susan established the independent social enterprise Diabetic Diva in 2010 and also set up the community project Let’s Cook for Diabetes, which aims to educate and support others to better understand, control and manage their diabetes.
The Summertime Gala Concert has received support from Prime Minister David Camero, who in a concert programme foreword wrote of the challenges associated with diabetes.
“The Government is aware of the growing problem of diabetes in minority ethnic groups and is committed to stemming the rising incidences of diabetes by helping to improve people’s lives,” he added.
Baroness Barbara Young, CEO of charity group Diabetes UK, described the concert as “an excellent opportunity to highlight the importance of the work carried out by social enterprises such as Susan’s that help people with diabetes to self-manage their condition by adopting a healthy lifestyle”.