People are being invited to raise vital funds for Diabetes UK this summer by joining a walking challenge taking place in Birmingham for the first time. The Birmingham Wellness Walk 2023 will take place on Sunday, 2 July, and is a perfect opportunity to improve your fitness while enjoying a scenic walk, meet people and raise funds for Diabetes UK along the way.
Striding out from City Centre Gardens, this 10km wellness walk will go through varied and interesting landmarks of Birmingham, passing famous sights such as St Philips Cathedral, the Bullring, the Chinese Quarter, along the Birmingham canals and through Chamberlain Square. Throughout your walk you will have the opportunity to take 'wellness moments' to fully enhance your wellness walk experience.
Peter Shorrick, Head of Midlands and East, Diabetes UK said: “Walking is a wonderful way to enjoy the view as you become more fit and healthy. With Spring in full swing and lighter evenings, this challenge will give everyone a perfect opportunity to fit in some practice walks to build up their distance before taking on the Birmingham Wellness Walk in July.
“Demand for our services is increasing all the time. People with diabetes need our help - and so we need your help. Please sign up and start walking on your own or with friends and family. Your support can really change lives.”
Waseem Zaffar, Councillor at Birmingham City Council explained why he is joining the Wellness Walk: “I’ve lived with type 2 diabetes since the age of 24 and I’m a Brummie through and through. I’m looking forward to joining the Wellness Walk in July, I always find some way to get some steps in.
“It’s helped with weight loss and my mental wellbeing. I love walking the canals in Birmingham and they’ll be part of the walk, along with other hidden gems. People don’t realise there are more miles of canal in Birmingham than in Venice!”
As well as fundraising, walkers will receive advice on how they can improve their diet, exercise more and live well. They will receive a Wellness Journal to help plan training walks and lifestyle changes. There will also be incentives for fundraisers and access to a Facebook Community page.
Nearly five million people in the UK live with diabetes - a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. If not managed carefully, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including sight loss, amputation, kidney failure, and stroke. There is currently no known cure for any type of diabetes.
There are now 745,747 people living with diabetes in the Midlands (1 in 12 people). The Black Country, Leicester and Birmingham have some of the highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes in England.
