Rap star Leo Golden Child joins Shropshire youngsters in fight against Diabetes

News from our partners Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group

Shropshire youngsters who want to spread the word about kicking Diabetes have recruited a professional rap star to their cause.

Now Leo Golden Child has invited the Shropshire Young Health Champions to join him in a professional recording studio to record a song they’ve composed together.

They will be travelling to Birmingham tomorrow to record The Dia-BEAT-it Shuffle.

It will used as part of a campaign designed by the young health champions called DiabeatIT, which will run throughout Shropshire schools starting on Monday 23 November 2015.

The campaign is aimed at making young people in the county more aware of the dangers of Type 2 Diabetes, which is increasingly common among young people but is largely preventable.

The song has been written by the young health champions, Leo and his manager, Mark Tolliss.

Leo Golden Child said:

“To be involved with such a good cause is humbling, and Mark and I will do our utmost to make sure the message gets across in the song at the same time as the kids having fun creating it. We can’t wait to hear the final version.”

Kara Luke, age 14, of Church Stretton said:

“I love singing and have lessons, but didn’t think I would get to go into a real studio. I’m literally bursting with excitement.

“We’ve also come up with a dance, and we’ll upload the song and a video of the dance onto YouTube. People participating in DiabeatIT will be asked to do the dance four times a day. This will encourage young people to ‘move, shake and shuffle’ more as one of the actions we can all take to reduce our risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.”

The whole project has been thought up and designed by young people in Shropshire. The ideas such as the song and dance video are how they think their peers might engage with this really important message while also raising much needed funds for Diabetes UK.

Laura Adamson, aged 15, of Shrewsbury had the original idea for DiabeatIT.

Laura said:

“I can’t believe how this project is growing following my idea in April. The other young health champions have been fabulous the way they have all helped. I’m not really a singer which is why I am very happy that others are doing this part of the work!”

The Young Health Champions project is hosted by Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in partnership with other organisations.

Karen Higgins of Shropshire CCG said:

“DiabeatIT is a really exciting project and has been initiated entirely by the young people. We look forward to sharing more information soon.”

Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, and Chair of Shropshire’s Health and Well-Being Board, added:

“It’s fantastic to see our young health champions taking the lead in raising awareness of Diabetes 2 with young people.

“We have seen a steady rise in Diabetes 2 in the younger generation. However, this is a condition that can be prevented by leading a more healthier lifestyle.

“This is a brilliant campaign which highlights the fact that diabetes can affect people of all ages, and promotes simply and fun ways to help prevent it.”