The Leeds office of law firm Squire Patton Boggs raised more than £20,000 for Diabetes UK over the course of a year of fundraising for the charity.
Members of the Leeds office took part in a range of activities during 2018 to raise money and awareness for Diabetes UK, including a World Cup dinner, cycle sportives, walking the Yorkshire Three Peaks, a bungee jump off a bridge in Middlesbrough, the Leeds and Manchester half-marathons, and two singathons at Leeds train station.
Liz Graham, partner at Squire Patton Boggs and chair of the Leeds office charity committee, said: “We have had quite a year, with staff rolling up their sleeves to participate in a wide range of challenges—there was something for everyone!”
“To raise over £20,000 in 12 months is testament to a phenomenal team effort and I would like to thank all of our staff and also our clients who together donated so generously throughout the year. We are delighted that these endeavours will benefit Diabetes UK.”
Graham, whose daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 11, added: “We chose Diabetes UK as our charity of the year because it is such a great cause. A number of our colleagues have experience of diabetes, either themselves or amongst their family or friends. We wanted to support the charity’s work, as well as raise awareness of the condition.”
Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. Type 1 and Type 2 are different conditions, but they’re both serious. There are an estimated 4.6 million people living with diabetes in the UK, according to Diabetes UK.
If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications, including lower limb amputation, kidney failure and stroke.
Richard Glover, who is also a partner at Squire Patton Boggs, said: “As someone who has had Type 1 diabetes since 1989, I am very aware of the challenges that people with diabetes and their families face. However, most people do not understand diabetes.”
“Many people living with Type 2 diabetes remain undiagnosed and untreated. This can lead to complications, many of which could be avoided if treatment had started earlier. I am very keen to increase awareness of the condition and I hope that our support for Diabetes UK will contribute to this process.”
Tyler Anderson, regional fundraiser at Diabetes UK, said: “We are incredibly grateful to all the team at Squire Patton Boggs for their support over the past year and for raising awareness of diabetes in the local community. Their incredible donation will go a long way to helping us create a world where diabetes can do no harm.”
