Cycle for Diabetes UK at Tesco Pulborough

The theme of the weekend was Tour de Tesco with managers and colleagues battling it out to see who had cycled the most miles during an hour.

There was a fun and competitive atmosphere in store with the boys battling it out against the girls. The competitive spirit was infectious with customers joining in the fun on the Horsham Wellbeing smoothie bike.

Although they didn’t have to pedal miles, brother and sister - Katie Waller, aged 11, and Harry, nine, both cycled hard to see who made the best smoothie.

Paul Amandi, Director of Fundraising for Diabetes UK, said: “We are so grateful to all the Tesco colleagues at Pulborough for clocking up the miles at their Tour de Tesco event and to all their customers who donated. It’s great to see Tesco colleagues and their local community coming together to support our National Charity Partnership in this way.

“The money raised will make a real difference to the 3.8 million people with diabetes in the UK and help people at high risk of Type 2 diabetes reduce their risk of the condition.”

Richard Moore, Store Manager at Pulborough said: “The teams have had a great time competing against each other and reaching an incredible distance to raise money for our charity partner, Diabetes UK.

“Customers have been incredibly generous and I’d like to thank them all for donating to what is a very worthwhile cause.

“My thanks also go to Billingshurst Leisure Centre for supporting the event this week with their presence and lending us a bike and Horsham Wellbeing for lending us a smoothie bike. The customers had a lot of fun making their own concoctions!”

With the money already raised through the partnership; over 70,000 people have checked their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes; one million information leaflets have been distributed; and there has been investment into research for a Type 1 diabetes vaccine.

The opening hours of Careline, a dedicated diabetes helpline, has been extended to support even more people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The Living with Diabetes Day programme will support nearly 10,00 people with Type 2 diabetes.

Report and pictures contributed by Bik-Kay Talbot.