DARLINGTON Building Society is supporting a diabetes charity after one of its employees was diagnosed with the condition.

Each branch in the building society’s network is allocated an annual community support fund, with staff able to choose which cause to support.

The Cockerton branch chose to donate to Diabetes UK, after customer sales assistant Josh Coe was diagnosed with type one diabetes, in September 2011, at the age of 18.

Type one diabetes prevents the body from producing insulin. It is a lifelong condition, which can cause serious health problems if left untreated.

No one knows exactly what causes it, but it’s not to do with being overweight and it isn’t currently preventable.

Diabetes UK provides information, advice and support, campaigning for improved healthcare services and funding research into care, cure and prevention of all types of diabetes.

Mr Coe said: “Living with diabetes can be challenging.

“Diabetes UK is a wonderful charity that helps so many people in so many different ways and I am grateful that Darlington Building Society was able to contribute to Diabetes UK to help support the fantastic work they do.”

Louise Simonian, acting regional fundraising manager for the charity, said: “We are extremely grateful for the donation.

“It is reassuring to know that Josh believes in the work we are doing and feels that it has helped him in some way.”