Swim22 sees participants to swim the length of the English Channel – 22 miles – over a period of twelve weeks, while the One Million Steps Challenge encourages fundraisers to walk an average of 10,800 steps a day for three months
All eight leisure centres in Waltham Forest are teaming up with leading health charity Diabetes UK to support two of the charity’s flagship fundraising challenges – Swim22 and the One Million Step Challenge.
Both challenges will be offered at Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre, Chingford Leisure Centre, Leyton Leisure Centre and Leytonstone Leisure, with One Million Steps at Walthamstow Stadium, Peter May Sports Centre, Score Leisure Centre and Walthamstow Leisure Centre.
Both challenges aim to raise awareness of diabetes while inspiring people to improve their health and wellbeing and raise funds for Diabetes UK’s vital research and work at the same time.
Swim22 invites participants to swim the length of the English Channel – 22 miles – over a period of twelve weeks from 22nd March, either in their local pool or the open water. The One Million Steps Challenge encourages fundraisers to walk an average of 10,800 steps a day over three months from July 2026.
Shorter distance options are available for both challenges, with plenty of support provided by Diabetes UK. To further help participants, Better leisure centres will also provide discounted leisure centre memberships for those taking part, free online and in-person training events, and expert tips and advice to help people train safely and effectively.
Daniel O’Connor, GLL’s partnership manager, says: “We’re proud to support Diabetes UK again and help even more people discover the benefits of getting active.
“With millions of people in the UK at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, staying active and maintaining a healthy weight can play an important role in reducing that risk. Challenges like Swim22 and the One Million Step Challenge make it fun and motivating to move more while raising funds for an incredibly important cause.”
James Beeby, director of engagement and fundraising at Diabetes UK, said: “We’re delighted to partner with GLL’s Better leisure centres again, to inspire more people to take on a new fundraising challenge.
“Being physically active plays an important role in overall health and wellbeing and events like Swim22 and the One Million Step Challenge make it fun, achievable, and rewarding for everyone involved. Across the UK, Better leisure centres support their members to improve their physical and mental health and it is this shared aim that makes this collaboration so fitting.”
Figures from Diabetes UK show that 4.6million people are now living with a diagnosis of diabetes in the UK – an all-time high. Without the right care and support, people with diabetes can be at risk of developing serious complications. Every week in the UK, diabetes leads to 184 amputations, more than 770 strokes, 590 heart attacks and 2,300 cases of heart failure.
All funds raised from the challenges will go towards Diabetes UK’s work in funding life-saving research and helping people living with diabetes to get the care and support they need.
Sign up to Swim 22 here or One Million Steps here
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