AN inspirational Stourbridge woman who set up a support group to help people living with diabetes has won a prestigious charity award.

Retired social worker Jacqui Wilmore was recognised with the ‘supporting others’ prize at Diabetes UK’s inspire awards for her tireless work in helping people with the condition.

Chris Szygowski, from Age UK Dudley, presented Jacqui with the award at a recent group meeting where she was speaking about dementia.

Last year Jacqui approached Diabetes UK looking for a group in the borough to join, but when she discovered there was no longer a group in Dudley, she set about getting one up and running once again.

The charity said that in the past 12 months, Jacqui has quickly become a respected figure in the community, networking effectively to build up contacts to support the group, as well as designing a programme of meetings and social events to establish strong peer support across the borough.

Peter Shorrick, head of Diabetes UK Midlands, said: “Jacqui has a dogged determination and desire to achieve the greatest outcomes for the group she represents. Her passion for volunteering shines through in all that she does.

“Through our inspire awards we thank our hard working volunteers, like Jacqui, for their contributions and highlight the positive difference their work has made to the lives of people who are living with diabetes.”

Jacqui has also worked closely with the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor Mohammed Hanif, who has chosen Dudley’s Diabetes UK group as one of his three chosen charities to support in his mayoral year.