People across Bath and North East Somerset are being encouraged to get moving in support of Diabetes UK, as leisure operator GLL renews its backing for two major fundraising challenges in 2026.
Photo © GLL
The social enterprise, which runs local facilities under the Better brand, is supporting both Swim22 and the One Million Step Challenge for the third consecutive year as part of a nationwide partnership with the charity.
GLL manages Bath Sports and Leisure Centre, Keynsham Leisure Centre and Odd Down Sports Ground on behalf of Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Over the course of 2026, it will use its centres and social media channels to promote the campaigns to its 800,000 members across the country.
As part of the initiative, people taking part in the challenges will be able to access discounted leisure memberships, free training sessions online and in person, and guidance aimed at helping them prepare safely and effectively.
The annual Swim22 event invites participants to cover the equivalent distance from England to France over 12 weeks from 22nd March, completing the challenge at their own pace.
The One Million Step Challenge begins in July and asks supporters to walk an average of 10,800 steps a day over three months. Both schemes also include shorter distance options.
Barnaby Rich, GLL’s partnership manager for Bath and North East Somerset, said the organisation was pleased to continue working with the charity while helping more people enjoy the benefits of exercise.
He 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.”
Diabetes UK said the partnership would help inspire more people to take on a personal challenge while supporting the charity’s wider work.
James Beeby, the charity’s director of engagement and fundraising, 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.”
According to Diabetes UK, 4.6 million people in the UK are now living with a diagnosis of diabetes, the highest figure recorded to date.
The charity says that without proper care and support, the condition can lead to serious complications, with diabetes linked each week to 184 amputations, more than 770 strokes, 590 heart attacks and 2,300 cases of heart failure.
Money raised through the two challenges will go towards Diabetes UK’s work, including research and support for people living with the condition.
