For the second year, social enterprise and leisure operator GLL has confirmed plans to work alongside leading health charity Diabetes UK, supporting two virtual fundraising initiatives, Swim22 and the One Million Step Challenge. It will help to raise awareness, encourage participation and improve the health and fitness of those taking part.

GLL, which operates over 250 ‘Better’ leisure centres and sports facilities across the UK, will promote the challenges to its 800,000 members across its social media channels and within the facilities it operates.  In addition, it will offer challenge participants a discounted leisure centre membership, will host free online and in person training events and provide training tips and advice for anyone who has committed to taking part, helping them to prepare safely and effectively.

Both challenges are designed to encourage people to use exercise to boost their mental and physical health, while also raising funds for the crucial research being undertaken by Diabetes UK. 

Swim22 invites participants to swim the width of the English Channel, at their own pace over a period of 12 weeks.  The One Million Step Challenge asks fundraisers to walk an average of 10,800 steps per day, over a three-month period.  Shorter distances can also be tackled, with a wealth of help, support and encouragement provided remotely, by Diabetes UK and now GLL.

Joseph Rham, GLL’s Customer Experience Director said: “We are delighted to be supporting Diabetes UK for the second year on these important fundraising initiatives. With an estimated 6.3 million people in the UK at risk of developing type two diabetes it has never been more important to raise awareness of the condition and an understanding of how to reduce the risk.

“We know the benefits that being active can have in terms of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, which in turn can help with blood sugar levels and prevent insulin resistance.  The Swim22 and One Million Step challenges are great ways to get active, raise funds for a worthy cause and support physical and emotional health.”

James Beeby, Director of Engagement and Fundraising at Diabetes UK, said: “Whether you want to get more active, improve your overall health or challenge yourself to achieve a fitness goal, our virtual events are a great way to do so.

“We’re delighted to be working with GLL again after a successful pilot last year to enhance our supporters’ experience and to help us reach new audiences who could benefit from our challenges.

“Across the UK, Better leisure centres support their members to improve their physical and mental health and it is this shared aim that makes this collaboration so fitting.”

Last month, Diabetes UK revealed new data which sets out the scale of the diabetes crisis in the UK. There are now 4.6 million people in the UK with a diagnosis of diabetes, up from 4.4 million from last year and an all-time high.

An estimated 6.3 million people are living with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, commonly known as prediabetes, and a further 1.3 million with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. 

This means more than 12 million people in the UK – or one in five UK adults – have either diabetes or prediabetes. 

All funds raised from the challenges will go towards Diabetes UK’s work, funding life-saving research and helping people living with diabetes to get the care and support they need.

 

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