The family of Harrogate singer songwriter Aaron Bertenshaw, who died in December, will be raising money for Diabetes UK at this weekend’s Knaresborough Bed Race.
Aaron, a former pupil at St Aidan’s Church of England High School, died aged 26 after struggling with diabetes and mental health issues.
Since his death, his mother Sammy Oates has been campaigning to plug the gap in services between people affected by the two conditions.
She is now lending her support to Diabetes UK’s new Diabetes is Serious campaign, which calls on the government to create a national recovery plan to support frontline healthcare teams getting diabetes services back on track after covid.
Ms Oates and Christine Holmes, a volunteer for Diabetes UK, will be part of a team operating a stand at Saturday’s bed race. The stand will provide information about diabetes and raise funds through a raffle and tombola. Tickets can be bought at the Worlds End and Castle Inn pubs in Knaresborough and The Blues Bar in Harrogate.
Supermarket Morrisons has agreed to match fund the sum raised.
(from left) Samantha Oates, Andrew Jones and Christine Holmes at the House of Commons.
Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, who recently met Ms Oates and Ms Holmes at the House of Commons, is expected to draw the winning raffle ticket.
Read more:
- Funeral celebrates life of Harrogate musician Aaron Bertenshaw
- Knaresborough poised for first Bed Race in three years
Mr Jones said in a statement he “strongly supported” the Diabetes Is Serious campaign. He was one of 100 MPs who recently attended an event about it at the Commons. He added:
“Diabetes is a growing issue and has implications across other parts of healthcare including mental health as Samantha’s family story so powerfully shows.
“Samantha has taken an event that is very personal and painful and turned it into a campaign that is public and positive.
“It is impressive. I look forward to attending the Knaresborough Bed Race and supporting Samantha’s raffle raising money for Diabetes UK’s important work.”
Next week is Diabetes Week in the UK
A new Diabetes UK report revealed that 47% of people with diabetes in England experienced difficulties managing their condition in 2021. Sixty-three per cent attributed this in part to not having sufficient access to their healthcare team.
The charity, which organises Diabetes Week next week, said in a statement:
Funeral celebrates life of Harrogate musician Aaron Bertenshaw“Diabetes is serious and isn’t something you can ignore. If people do not receive the care they need, it can put them at risk of serious complications, which can lead to premature death.
“The coronavirus pandemic has created a backlog in the delivery of this routine yet vital care and, despite the tireless efforts of the NHS, many people living with diabetes are still struggling to access it.”
“We’re calling for an urgent recovery plan from the UK Government to tackle these devastating diabetes care delays before it’s too late. Urgent action is required now.”
Family and friends of Harrogate singer-songwriter Aaron Bertenshaw celebrated his life at a funeral in Bilton this morning.
A procession led by motorbikes, including some Harley-Davidsons, set off from the family home on Woodfield Road and arrived at St John’s and St Luke’s Church for the 11am service.
The service was broadcast live on the church’s Facebook page and can still be viewed there.
A wake was held afterwards at The Empress on the Stray.
Aaron Bertenshaw died suddenly last month.
Aaron, a former pupil at St Aidan’s Church of England High School, died suddenly aged 26 last month. He had struggled with diabetes and mental health issues.
Read more:
- Jam session at Blues Bar tonight in memory of Aaron Bertenshaw
- Fund set up in memory of Harrogate musician Aaron Bertenshaw
Sammy Oates, Aaron’s mother, set up a fundraising page to help people with diabetes overcome mental health problems. That fundraiser is currently on £6,910.
The family said donations at the service would go to Diabetes UK and CALM, the campaign against living miserably.
Ms Oates is now campaigning for extra support for those who struggle with diabetes and mental health. She told the Stray Ferret previously:
Aaron Bertenshaw memorial service to be held next month“Aaron touched a lot of lives. He was only 26 but packed a lot in. He also worked as a barber and played rugby for Otley when he was young.
“He was such a bright shining star and an absolute social butterfly. Everyone knew him and he never had a bad word to say about anybody.
“What I remember most is his smile. He had the most infectious smile. There was always a twinkle in the eyes.”
A memorial service celebrating the life of Harrogate singer-songwriter Aaron Bertenshaw will be held at St John’s Church in Bilton on January 4.
Aaron, a former pupil at St Aidan’s Church of England High School, died suddenly aged 26 this month. He had struggled with diabetes and mental health issues.
Sammy Oates, his mother, said everyone was welcome to attend the service, which begins at 11am. A wake will be held afterwards at The Empress on the Stray.
Donations will go to Diabetes UK and CALM, the campaign against living miserably.
Sammy added the church has capacity inside for 160 people and the event would also be livestreamed because Aaron had family in New Zealand and South Africa.
She said the service would be an upbeat celebration of Aaron’s life and asked people not to wear black suits. Aaron loved tweed and Sammy suggested this as a possible alternative.
A fundraising page set up by Sammy to help people with diabetes overcome mental health problems has so far raised over £5,000. You can donate here.
Read more:
- Fund set up in memory of Harrogate musician Aaron Bertenshaw
- Charity Corner: at the forefront of mental health support during covid
Sammy said she planned to raise the issue of diabetes and mental health to parliament as part of her campaign to fund a service that treats both illnesses together.
She is trying to find a counsellor within a 20-mile radius of Harrogate who is either diabetic or understands the disease.
Anyone who can help put her in touch with a suitably qualified person can contact her on social media or email us and we will forward on messages. You can email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
Aaron was a popular figure on the Harrogate district music scene. He was a regular at the Blues Bar, where he first performed and at many other venues, such as Hales Bar.
