TESCO colleagues from stores throughout the east of England, including Harlow, will bring out their superhero alter egos over the weekend of 11-13 March when they take part in the nationwide Superheroes fundraiser challenge for the National Charity Partnership between Tesco, Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The three year partnership aims to raise £30 million to support millions of people to eat better and get active, as well as funding the vital and ongoing work of the BHF and Diabetes UK.

The Superheroes fundraiser challenge will see Tesco colleagues complete various superhero themed activities over the weekend, with many likely to take on challenges such as silly superhero sports and superhero skills. Colleagues at all stores will log every £25 they raise on their in-store Cape Target-o-Meters for customers to see. The more they raise, the more the shrunken cape of fictional superhero Tescoman will grow, enabling him to resume his superhero activities.

There are currently thousands of people in the east of England who are at increased risk of developing heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Having Type 2 diabetes puts people at a greater risk of later developing heart and circulatory disease. Being active and eating well are key steps people can take to reduce their risk of developing both conditions. This is why half of the money raised through fundraising by Tesco colleagues for the Partnership is split between Diabetes UK and the BHF to fund their vital and ongoing work. What makes the National Charity Partnership unique is that the remainder of funds raised are being invested in projects specifically designed to inspire millions of people to eat better, get active and reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease.

In 2016, the National Charity Partnership will see free, fun events and programmes being delivered in Thanet in the east of England, to inspire people to be active and eat well. The Partnership will also work in a further six areas, including east London to support the delivery of free food-based workshops and ‘Beat the Street’ – a free real-life walking and cycling game set to inspire over 200,000 kids (and their families) to get active this year. This work is underpinned by the UK-wide Let’s Do This campaign, which is designed to inspire millions of people to set achievable lifestyle goals to boost their health and wellbeing.

Rob Clark, East of England Fundraising Manager for the National Charity Partnership, explains: “In England today, there are around 3.1 million adults living with Type 2 diabetes and around 5.9 million people living with heart and circulatory disease and many more at serious risk. However a healthy lifestyle can reduce people’s risk of these conditions.
“Tesco colleagues raised millions of pounds across the five key fundraising events last year, which will help a great deal with the National Charity Partnership, and the work of both Diabetes UK and the British Heart Foundation. I’d encourage customers from across the east of England to pop along to their local Tesco store over the Superheroes weekend and support colleagues as they work hard to take these fundraising totals to a super new level.”

The Superheroes weekend is the first big fundraiser to take place in Tesco stores nationwide in 2016. Tesco customers in the east of England are being encouraged to visit their local store and help make this event a flying success.
To find out how the National Charity Partnership can help you with your health goals, log on to lets-dothis.org.uk