One of Leicester’s faith groups organised a diabetes awareness walk and had walkers from around the city.
Health campaigners joined members of the Dawoodi Bohra Community for a n Victoria Park on Sunday 25 March.
The Dawoodi group is aiming to raise £25,000 towards research and has been working with the University of Leicester, Silver Star diabetes charity, Diabetes UK, the Leicester Diabetes Centre and the Diabetes Village.
Dr Murtaza Salem, honorary lecturer in cardiovascular sciences at the university and vascular surgery specialist registrar at Leicester’s Hospitals, as well as a member of the Dawoodi community, helped organise the event, which has already raised nearly £15,000.
He said: “Our community in Leicester is small but we are keen to make a difference to the country and community we live in.
“This is one of our many projects to increase awareness about diabetes.”
The walk was a multi-faith, cross-community event for everyone from Leicester and surrounding saw a large turnout on the day.
A choice of a 1km, 5km or long ‘whacky walk’ was given with medical professionals on hand to give free diabetes checks.
The event was also supported by city mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire Police Chief Constable Simon Cole and Keith Vaz MP.
A spokesman for the Leicester community said: “There has also been widespread support from different faith communities – including Christians, Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and Jewish communities – all of whom have supported the event. “De Montfort University have also shown their support and were in attendance to showcase their own research in diabetes.
“In this way the whole community has come together in support of this event.”
The Diabetes awareness walk is an initiative that is part of the Dawoodi Bohra community’s worldwide health and wellbeing drive.
Organisers said the walk was also staged to encourage more people to get themselves tested for diabetes, along with promoting healthy diet and lifestyle to reduce the risk.
Professor Melanie Davies, Professor of Diabetes Medicine and co-director of the Leicester Diabetes Centre, said: “The diversity of Leicester is something we celebrate and embrace.
“It is because of this that our multi-cultural city has become the first UK to become part of a global campaign to improve the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes.”
“We are passionate about improving the health of our community and promoting physical activity and walking is a really important and practical initiative for all of our communities.
