If getting in your daily steps, or swimming a few lengths is your cup of tea, then the latest partnership between the Borough’s leisure provider, GLL and Diabetes UK may well be your next port of call.
For the third year in a row, GLL are teaming up with Diabetes UK to bring two fun challenges to Bedford – Swim 22 and the One Million Step Challenge, all to raise money for charity.
The latest stats regarding diabetes are not good reading, and show that an all time high of 4.6million people are now living with the condition in the UK.
Every week around the nation, diabetes reportedly leads to 184 amputations, more than 770 strokes, 590 heart attacks and 2,300 cases of heart failure.
Now, GLL are putting on the now annual series of challenges in order to aid research.
“We’re proud to support Diabetes UK again and help even more people discover the benefits of getting active”, said Gillan Kelly, Partnership Manager at GLL.
“With millions of people in the UK at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight can play an important role in reducing that risk.
“Challenges like Swim22 and the One Million Step Challenge make it fun and motivating to move more while raising funds for an incredibly important cause”, she added.
Discounted facilities for participants
GLL operates facilities including Robinson Pool and Fitness and Kempston Pool and Fitness, and they will both be hosting individuals who want to take part.
Swim22 participants can swim the equivalent distance from England to France at their own pace over 12 weeks from 22 March at either of these venues.
The One Million Step Challenge encourages fundraisers to walk an average of 10,800 steps a day over three months from July. Shorter distance options are also available for both challenges.
To support participants, GLL will provide discounted leisure centre memberships for participants, host free online and in-person training events and provide expert advice to help people train safely.
James Beeby, Director of Engagement and Fundraising at Diabetes UK, added: “We’re delighted to partner with GLL again, to inspire more people to take on a new fundraising challenge.
“Being physically active plays an important role in overall health and wellbeing and events like Swim22 and the One Million Step Challenge make it fun, achievable, and rewarding for everyone involved.”
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.
You can find out more about the work of Diabetes UK via their website here.
