AN art project which used thousands of socks to highlight the devastating effects of diabetes-related amputation and promote the importance of clinical research has been shortlisted for a major award.
The Seven Thousand Feet installation was created by Pickmere artist Christine Wilcox-Baker with socks donated by patient support groups, lower limb amputees and people living with diabetes across Greater Manchester.
Inspiration came from the statistic of 7,000 lower limb amputations per year in the UK as a result of diabetes complications, a number that has since increased to more than 8,000.
Exhibited throughout the 2018 Manchester Science Festival (MSF) at the Central Library, the project helped raise awareness of the serious but often avoidable outcomes of diabetes.
The Seven Thousand Feet exhibit
Now it has been named as a finalist in the national Quality in Care (QiC) Diabetes Awards 2019, in the category for Diabetes Collaboration Initiative of the Year – Adults.
The awards recognise, reward and share innovative practice demonstrating quality in diabetes management, education and services for people with diabetes and/or their families.
In addition it has been shortlisted for the People’s Award – you can vote by visiting qualityincare.org/diabetes/awards/qic_diabetes_voting_2019/vote_for_the_peoples_award
Seven Thousand Feet was conceived by Christine and Dr Martin Rutter, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine and Honorary Consultant Physician at UoM and MFT)
Katherine Grady, Programme Development Manager with Research for the Future, said: “We’re thrilled that Seven Thousand Feet has been shortlisted for a Quality in Care (QiC) Diabetes award.
People visit the exhibit
“Being part of such a unique, innovative and creative collaboration was a fantastic experience and helped us talk to people in a completely different way about the benefits of taking part in health research.”
Christine said: “Art and science working together is a dynamic combination. We helped to inform a wide audience about the risks of diabetes, and how to reduce them, in a unique way.
“I’m delighted that the hard work of everyone involved is being recognised by such a highly-respected health organisation.”
The QiC awards ceremony will be held on October 17 at Sanofi’s head office in Reading.
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