A LYMM man who was diagnosed with diabetes aged nine has since spent most of his life helping people around the world with the condition.

Daniel Howarth, aged 32, said he always knew medicine was his ‘calling’ after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1992 and looked after by the children and adults diabetes team at Warrington Hospital.

After joining Warrington St John Ambulance aged nine, the Lymm High pupil went on to study nursing at Sheffield University and has gone on to help with diabetes programmes in Africa, New Zealand and Israel.

He added: “I always wanted to help people growing up.

“I had such a memorable diabetes nurse when I was a kid and will never forget the care I got or the people involved and I wanted to replicate that.”

After working as an inpatient diabetes specialist nurse at Warrington hospital, Daniel moved to Auckland in New Zealand where he was part of the team setting up a young adult specialist service.

His next role was as a global education co-ordinator for the International Diabetes Federation providing education and overseeing diabetes education in Africa before contacting an eye hospital in Jerusalem to see if they wanted a volunteer.

He added: “After seeing my CV they asked if I could develop a diabetes course and deliver to their medical nursing and paramedical staff which was fantastic.

“They where so thankful to have education delivered and despite scarce resources and services they knew that their new found education could positively impact the care of their people with diabetes.”

Daniel, who is currently back working as a diabetes specialist nurse in Auckland, added he hoped his work could help others with the condition.

He said: “Diabetes is a relentless, silent killer and a lot of cases in the world could be prevented.

“For those who have diabetes the care they receive should be realistic knowing that people with diabetes aren't immune to the pressure of life, be that exams, mortgage payments, bereavement or living in a war zone.

“Compassion and understanding should be at the forefront and if my life helps other people, particularly health professionals, give better quality care to others with diabetes, my own struggles with the ‘illness’ would be worth it.”