Come meet up and have fun with other pre-teens that also have diabetes. It's a casual afternoon of tenpin bowling, arcade games and finishing with some food. Youth leaders will be running this event, so a bit of timeout from the adults, and a chance to ask Youth Leaders questions and see how they manage their diabetes. We don't often have events specific just for this 10-12 pre-teen age range, so we hope to have a great turnout, and for all to have a great time!

What: Tenpin bowling, arcades and afternoon tea
When: Sunday 27th October 2pm (finish approx. 4pm)
Where: Live Wire Sylvia Park, 286 Mount Wellington Highway, Mount Wellington
Who: Pre-teens with diabetes: 10-12yrs / Years 6-8 at school
Cost: $20 +GST (We have a few financial support tickets - email shantelle@diabetes.org.nz in confidence).

Diabetes Considerations: remember diabetes supplies/hypo kit!! Let your pre-teen know they are responsible for managing their diabetes - hypos, insulin etc. but that they can ask for help from any of the Youth Leaders too. This is a good opportunity for them to step up and manage themselves positively amongst others doing the same. (However, please contact me if you feel your pre-teen is not quite at that level yet, or you want an extra set of eyes on them).

Event Management: Pre-teens will be split into groups for bowling lanes with each group having a Youth Leader. There will also be an overall event lead on the day; a very experienced Youth Leader Laura (in her 20s) overseeing the event. I will also be around, popping in and out. They each then have a 30-minute pass for arcades. As a group we will go to get Subway (or similar) after. We cannot eat on the Live Wire premises (with exceptions of diabetes needs of course). During this event we ask that a parent/caregiver stays within the Syliva Park complex in case they are required for diabetes needs as this is still a stepping up age. We have therefore arranged a Parents Coffee Catchup up simultaneously if you would like to join in. Register separately for this: https://events.humanitix.com/diabetes-nz-auckland-youth-parents-and-carers-catch-up

Special mention: This event is highly subsidised via Diabetes NZ Auckland Youth fundraising, with an extra special thank you to Elaine Tollen, who requested donations in lieu of gifts for her birthday and gifted us $620. Elaine is the grandmother of Callem who had raised funds for us via the Auckland Marathon over the last two years. What a generous family! Thank you. This donation has allowed the cost of this event to be less than half what it would have been otherwise, plus provides some financial support tickets, so no-one misses out.

Shantelle - Youth and Type 1 Coordinator, Diabetes NZ Auckland Youth - shantelle@diabetes.org.nz