Tesco to partner with Diabetes UK and British Heart Foundation

Tesco, Diabetes UK, and the British Heart Foundation have announced a major new partnership which aims to raise millions of pounds.

Launching in early 2015, the partnership will see Tesco, its customers, colleagues, and suppliers aim to raise funds for the two charities to promote healthy living.

The partnership aims to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes by focusing on ways to encourage healthy eating and healthy cooking habits, including making it easier to choose foods lower in sugar, saturated fats and salt. The ultimate ambition for the partnership is to be a force for positive change in the health of the nation.

Tesco community director Greg Sage said the partnership is the first of its kind in the UK.

“It’s great to be working with Diabetes UK again, and to be building a new partnership with the British Heart Foundation. We have enormous respect for the work they do, and want to help them do more,” Sage said. “Over the next few months we’ll be working on the details of exactly how we’ll do that, so watch this space.”

Seven million people are living with cardiovascular disease in the UK today. Type 2 diabetes affects 3.5 million people, and a further 11.5 million are at high risk of developing the condition.

Diabetes UK chief executive Barbara Young said the charity has already seen the “phenomenal efforts” of Tesco staff and customers in raising millions of pounds that have made an impact for sufferers of the illness.

“It is really exciting to be continuing working with them and our new partner, the British Heart Foundation, to make a real impact on reducing the risk of diabetes and heart disease.”

British Heart Foundation chief executive Simon Gillespie called the partnership a “fantastic way” to get healthy lifestyle messages to millions of people across the UK.

“The sad truth is that cardiovascular disease claims the lives of over four hundred people every day. Thanks to the generosity of Tesco and its customers we will be able to continue our fight for every heartbeat, and set a new benchmark for strategic partnerships between businesses and charities.”