Both are an immense source of support at a time when national auditors reveal the region's health service is failing diabetics.
For 51 years, Ron, of Layton, has kept himself fit, and apace of all the medical advances which have changed treatments over five decades.
"I didn't know what had hit me at first," he admits. "Even now I have bad days. But you learn to manage your condition, so it stops controlling you."
A national health audit has just revealed a postcode lottery for diabetics of all ages, and types. Sixty per cent of the 1.42m people with diabetes in England included in the latest National Diabetes Audit do not receive all the care recommended for their condition.
The fifth national audit, by The NHS Information Centre, shows diabetics are more likely to have complications if they live in certain parts of the country or have a socially deprived background.
The North West Strategic Health Authority falls into the bottom 25 per cent for prevalence of complications such as angina, myocardial infarction, and cardiac failure.
It is ranked middle (50 per cent) for complications such as stroke, diabetic retinopathy treatment, renal failure, and ketoacidosis, but comes in the top 25 per cent for amputations.
The audit claims wide variations in meeting care targets across all 152 primary care trusts, with glucose control and blood pressure targets achieved for 50 per cent more people with diabetes in some PCTs compared to others.
Apart from eye disease, all complications were found to be more common with increasing social deprivation. Complications doubled between the least, and most, socially deprived districts.
The figures have not been broken down to reveal how individual trusts such as NHS Blackpool or North Lancashire PC, cope, so it's left to patients such as Ron to bridge the gap.
He says: "In my experience, care here in Blackpool is very good. We don't have any complaints in our group – and I think we'd know.
"The care both at hospitals and from local doctors is very good. The nursing team at the Vic is second to none. They have a huge caseload yet show such great dedication.
"Our meetings throw up queries, soon resolved. We know who to ask and where to go."
He concedes there are differences in care across the Fylde. "There is a postcode lottery but joining a support group helps because you learn from other people's experience.
"There are a range of checks it's important to have and these are carried out in Blackpool on a regular basis – you have your eyes checked every year, for example.
"It's important to have these checks as diabetics are at risk of developing problems such as heart disease, blindness and so on.
"We also have the Expert Diabetic Patient Programme which helps locals learn how to manage their condition and anyone with diabetes can come and listen to talks. I also speak at other local groups."
One newly diagnosed diabetic woman, 73, of Cleveleys, who asked to remain nameless, says: "I've had to ask to be referred to podiatry and am now pressing for an eye examination as I've noticed changes which alarm me.
"The doctor suggested I see my optician but because I had my routine annual test in October they were going to charge me until I mentioned the GP.
"I'd rather see a specialist. I already have heart and kidney problems and feel devastated by this diagnosis. It's not enough just to see a dietitian and practice nurse."
Julie Byron, regional manager at Diabetes UK North West, concludes: "It is absolutely appalling that 60 per cent of people with diabetes do not receive all of their vital annual health checks. Lack of adequate diabetes services puts them at even greater risk of developing complications which are estimated to cost the NHS £1million an hour."
l The Blackpool group meets the first Monday of every month ( except August) at 7.3pm at Forest Gate Baptist Church, Whitegate Drive. For more info call (01253) 353773

Nurses offer help to hundreds
FOR 2,500 of the 17,000 known diabetics locally with Type One and Type Two diabetes, the buck stops with four frontline nurse specialists at Blackpool Victoria Hospital Trust, three of whom work part time.
That's the ultimate safety net for those with more complex problems linked to diabetes.
They include pregnant women as well as others, children, patients young and older, male and female, with Type One or Type Two diabetes.
Janet Bellis, diabetes specialist nurse, and Erica Duffield , senior diabetes specialist nurse, (both left) don't make any distinctions other than clinical.
"Both are serious conditions," they explain. Both stress the importance of learning to live with diabetes and gaining the expertise to manage it.
They work medical miracles, daily balancing a range of consultant-led and nurse-led clinics in community hospitals and the Vic, as well as running a helpline and home visits.
They know the workload is rising. "It is important that we just get on with it," stresses senior specialist Erica. "It's good more GPs are starting clinics."
They would also welcome the chance to research cluster groups of diabetics linked to auto immune disorders locally.
But ask what they would most like and it's that people exercise more, and eat more healthily.
"Crack that and the rates will reduce," says Janet.
Erica, who started working in out-patients 20 years ago when she qualified and got into diabetes because she saw the impact, admits: "It's a challenge but, remember, there have been huge improvements in health care. Advances in treatment have been remarkable. "

jacqui.morley@blackpoolgazette.co.uk