Tesco, the UK’s largest retailer, is to raise £10million to help people with diabetes better manage their condition and improve the health of those at risk of developing the disease.
The funds will be raised by Tesco staff and customers as part of a new partnership with charity group Diabetes UK.
Part of the £10million – the largest donation ever pledged to the charity – will go towards pioneering research into a vaccine for type 1 diabetes, which could lead to a future without this lifelong disease.
The money raised will also be used to fund the biggest-ever public health campaign on risk factors and symptoms of type 2 diabetes in a bid to raise awareness of the obesity-related condition for the estimated 7 million people in the UK at high risk from developing it.
Furthermore, a number of ‘Living with Diabetes’ days will also be held at venues across the UK to give people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes the information they need to understand and manage their condition.
“Thanks to this important partnership, we have the opportunity to inspire our colleagues and customers to come together, raise awareness and much needed funds to help the millions of people with diabetes in the UK,” said Rebecca Shelley, group corporate affairs director at Tesco.
“From helping our customers take action to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes through our network of pharmacies, to investing in groundbreaking research, we’ll be using our scale to support everyone affected by, and at risk of diabetes.”
Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK, commented: “I am delighted Tesco has made Diabetes UK its National Charity Partner, as this will make a real difference in curbing the rise in the condition.”

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