Hi
~ My name is Barnaby
Bee
 I
am the mascot for people with diabetes and was ‘created’ for Diabetes Christchurch in 1994. My mission is to
carry the diabetes ‘Bee Aware’ message to all areas of the community in as many
ways as possible, and to assist in raising funds to help all Diabeties
Societies achieve their objectives.
A
competition to give me a name was held throughout the Diabetes Societies
in New Zealand. My chosen name, Barnaby (suggested by Mrs Judy Newton of
Christchurch) was formally given to me at the Beehive in Wellington by the
then Associate Minister of Health, Hon. Mrs Katherine O’Reagan on November
16th, 1994.
 As
you can see, I am a cute, cuddly, colourful fellow and I don’t have a
sting in my tail ~ though my left foot will squeak if you squeeze it.
(That’s to let you know that I am listening to anything you want to tell
me and I will keep your secrets.) I do try to keep my white tie, white
gloves and white wings clean, but you may have to give me a brush or wash sometimes to help me out. My heart-shaped wings, one of which carries
the ‘Diabetes Bee Aware’ emblem, show that I am a loving, caring
friend who wants to remind everyone to ‘Bee Aware’ and ‘Bee Healthy’.
I
have many brother Barnaby Bees and a lot of them have found lots of new
hives to live in over the last six years. It’s good to know that quite a
few of them have become international travellers and now live in a number
of different countries. I am really excited that quite a large colony have
settled in Australia and more brother bees are looking forward to joining
them in the near future. I have trained them all well in the work they
need to do, even if I say so myself. In Australia, they are ‘helping to
take the sting out of diabetes’. 
As
you can read, I am owned and loved by little children, tugged on my bungy
spring by all ages, admired by many ~ I’m a friendly face when you wake
up in the morning, guaranteed to give you a smile during the day, and a
guardian ‘Bee’ to watch over you at night. I am inexpensive to buy, am
house-trained and cost next-to-nothing to keep. I can charm you and your
family friends. And best of all, I am an excellent present for all ages
and all seasons ~ AND when you buy me, you get value for money while
helping a very worthwhile cause.
One special task I have assigned to a select group of Barnaby Bees is to become a
"special friend" to young people newly diagnosed with diabetes. In carrying out their mission they will give extra special cuddles, always be cheerful (even if jabbed with a needle), and bring sunshine and smiles whenever they can to their special owners.
I must admit that there is something rather special that my brothers and I like doing. We
do enjoy bouncing on our bungy springs. You can see us doing this in lots
of places including pharmacies and doctors’ surgeries also stalls and
markets, where
we are for sale throughout the country. And of course we are available
through diabetes societies and bounce in many home hives. We
go on many trips around our country and
meet lots of new friends all over the place.
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