Dubai-UAE: 08 October, 2015 – Landmark Group, the region’s leading retail and hospitality conglomerate, will host the seventh edition of the Beat Diabetes Walk at Dubai’s Zabeel Park on 20 November, 2015.

Aimed to raise awareness about diabetes in the region, the annual Beat Diabetes Walk will engage the community and raise funds for diabetes research through charging a participation fee of AED20 per adult, and AED10 for children between 8-14 years.  Children below eight years can join the walk for free.

All funds generated from the participation fees will be donated to Al Jalila Foundation, a global, not-for profit organisation established by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The organisation provides philanthropic support to world-class medical education and research for a range of conditions.

Registrations for the seventh annual Beat Diabetes Walk in the UAE can be completed online at www.beatdiabetes.me from 18 October to 15 November 2015. All registered participants will receive a walkathon kit comprising a Beat Diabetes T-shirt and cap via courier through Aramex, the official logistics partner for the walk.

As a build-up to the walk a host of engaging awareness initiatives will be organised under the Beat Diabetes initiative starting 1 November. The activities will include exciting social media competitions and a special wellness weekend at Oasis Mall on 13 and 14 November. Residents of the UAE are invited to participate in fun contests and edutainment sessions to win a host of exciting prizes including gym memberships, healthy eating packages, sports cycles and fitness bands.

The Beat Diabetes Walk will span approximately three kilometres. Following the walk, participants can opt to check their sugar levels at the free blood glucose testing kiosks. The venue will also offer a host of complimentary fun-filled activities, including special fitness activities like Zumba and yoga, or spot fitness challenges and dance routines. Children will be kept entertained at a children’s sports zone featuring football, basketball and inflatable slides. In addition, an on-site DJ and live entertainment acts will help create a carnival atmosphere at the walk. Stands serving healthy snacks will also be set up at the venue.

In 2014, the walk saw the unprecedented participation of more than 14,000 participants in the UAE and over 60,000 participants across seven countries – Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, KSA and India. The fundraising drive conducted across 500+ Landmark Group stores based in the UAE as well as the amount garnered from walk registrations raised over AED900,000 for Al Jalila Foundation’s on-going healthcare and diabetes research.

To stay updated on the Beat Diabetes Walk and related activities, please follow the Beat Diabetes Social Media handles:

• Facebook www.facebook.com/beatdiabetes
• Instagram – beat. diabetes and
• Twitter – @beatdiabetes