Diabetes UK has been presented with £1,000 at Wythenshawe Forum after the cash was raised through donations at an annual event celebrating the Hindu festival of Navratri.

Navratri is a nine night Hindu festival which is celebrated every autumn. Navratri Festival Manchester organise an annual celebration during Navratri bringing together communities from across Greater Manchester.

Pravin Arjan, 49, a trustee for Manchester said: “The festival team have worked really hard this year to organise the Navratri Festival celebrations and in doing so have raised funds for this important cause. Diabetes is highly prevalent in the Hindu community and so we wanted to support the work of Diabetes UK to raise awareness of the condition in our community.”

There are an estimated 4.6 million people living with diabetes in the UK. People from a South Asian background are two to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including blindness, lower limb amputation, kidney failure and stroke.

Priya Narsai-Punam, Diabetes UK Development Officer said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Navratri Festival Manchester for donating such a huge amount to Diabetes UK. The money raised will help our vital work supporting people both at risk of diabetes and those living with the condition so that we can create a world where diabetes can do no harm.”