press release: GLL
GLL teams up with Diabetes UK to get the nation moving in 2026
Social enterprise and leisure operator GLL is once again teaming up with leading health charity Diabetes UK to help thousands of people get active for a great cause in 2026.
For the third-year running, GLL will support two of the charity’s flagship fundraising challenges – Swim22 and the One Million Step Challenge – helping to raise awareness of diabetes while inspiring people to improve their health and wellbeing.
GLL operates more than 250 Better leisure centres and sports facilities across the UK. Throughout 2026, the organisation will promote Diabetes UK’s challenges to its 800,000 members through social media and within its centres, encouraging as many people as possible to get involved.
To help the challenge participants, GLL will also provide:
• Discounted leisure centre memberships for those taking part in the challenges
• Free online and in-person training events
• Expert tips and advice to help people train safely and effectively
Both challenges, which take place every year, are designed to get people moving, boost mental and physical health, and raise vital funds for Diabetes UK.
Swim22 challenges participants to swim the equivalent distance from England to France at their own pace over 12 weeks from 22 March. Meanwhile, the One Million Step Challenge encourages fundraisers to walk an average of 10,800 steps a day over three months from July. Shorter distance options are also available for both challenges, with plenty of support and motivation provided by Diabetes UK – now backed by GLL.
Joseph Rham, GLL’s customer and communities director, said: “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 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, funding life-saving research and helping people living with diabetes to get the care and support they need.
Phil Donnay, deputy chief executive & CFRO
• Annodata,
• Physical Company,
• Technogym,
• Change Please, and
• Divine Chocolate.
Local Authorities and Agencies we work with include:
• Greenwich Council,
• Belfast City Council,
• Cardiff City Council,
• Lee Valley Regional Park Authority,
• LLDC,
• ukactive,
• SportsAid,
• SportsAid Wales,
• Mary Peters Trust,
• Swim England, and
• Sport England.
With our positive performance and improved social outcomes during 2024, GLL is well placed to be at the forefront of societal, economic and environmental change.
The future will see us focusing on excellent customer service alongside our social enterprise values and growing our social impact, while new partnerships with Government Departments, NHS, National Agencies and numerous National Charities will support individual wellness and economic outcomes.
"Many bright and talented athletes throughout the United Kingdom are unable to chase their dreams of sporting glory due to lack of funding. We are passionate about helping GSF give equal opportunities to all young people and achieving their dreams of competing on the international stage.
"Our partnership enables both our brands to share the success of the UK’s most aspiring athletes who we are proud to have heard speak in such an inspirational way at our internal Sales Conferences and who have supported our marketing and brand development goals through representation and storytelling both in person and via social media”.
– Rod Tonna-Barthet, chief executive, Annodata
– Daryll Neita, Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze and silver medalist, GLL Athlete
“These venues are part of the Lee Valley visitor experience and will continue to be so with some of the best facilities and most inspiring settings to be found anywhere. As part of the partnership Lee Valley Regional Park Authority will continue to invest to ensure that they go from strength to strength, delivering real impact for communities.”
– Shaun Dawson chief executive, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
