CHARITY champion Brian Hunter has received a personal message of congratulation from Tony Blair after scooping a prestigious award.

Mr Hunter, from the Prime Minister's home constituency of Sedgefield, County Durham, was the North-East regional winner at the Lilly Outstanding Achievement and Recognition (OAR) Awards this week.

The OAR Awards were launched earlier this year to recognise people with diabetes who have achieved personal successes.

Mr Hunter received his award from champion rower Sir Steve Redgrave at a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament on World Diabetes Day.

Mr Hunter, 67, was diagnosed with diabetes in 1980. At the time he weighed 16 stones and smoked 60 cigarettes a day. As a nurse he knew he had to change.

Mr Hunter sought medical advice, stopped smoking and began running and long-distance fell walking with great success.

He decided to hang up his fundraising boots last year after climbing the Etna, Vulcano and Stromboli volcanoes in Italy.

Mr Hunter also established the first International Diabetes Athletic Association (UK).

Through this organisation, he has arranged half marathons, swimming galas and the Sugar Lump Shuffle, an annual 10km road race around Sedgefield, which have encouraged countless people with diabetes to embrace an active life style