Dubai-UAE: 02 November, 2014 – Landmark Group, the region’s leading retail and hospitality conglomerate, has announced its partnership with the Al Jalila Foundation to raise funds for diabetes research and healthcare in the UAE, as part of its Beat Diabetes Initiative.

A global, not-for-profit organisation, Al Jalila Foundation was established by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to support medical education, research and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and mental healthin the UAE.

As part of the partnership, Landmark Group will launch a fund-raising drive during the month of November 2014. Customers who shop at any of Landmark Group’s more than 500 retail and hospitality outlets in the UAE will have the option of donating to the cause by adding AED5 or multiples of five to their total shopping bills. An internal barcode mechanism will be created to record each contribution.

In addition, a nominal participation fee of AED20 per adult and AED10 per head for children between eight and 15 years will also be charged when participants register for the sixth annual Beat Diabetes walkathon, with proceeds allocated to the Al Jalila Foundation. Children below the age of eight can participate in the walk for free.

Renuka Jagtiani, Vice-Chairperson, Landmark Group, said: “Landmark Group is proud to join hands with the Al Jalila Foundation and drive a nationwide effort to raise funds for diabetes research in the country. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that nearly 19% of the adult population in the UAE is currently affected by the condition. Diabetes is a lifestyle condition and thisnation-wide campaign reinforces our commitment to the local community in beating diabetes and ensuring a healthy, active society. We invite all the residents of the UAE to join hands for this cause.”

Dr Abdulkareem Sultan Al Olama, Chief Executive Officer, Al Jalila Foundation, said: “Landmark Group has been a leader in driving diabetes awareness in the UAE, which has one of the highest incidences of the condition in the region. We applaud responsible business leaders such as Landmark Group, who are spearheading initiatives to tackle the most prevalent health challenges affecting our nation’s quality of life. Al Jalila Foundation Research Centre, due to open in 2016, aims to transform the UAE into a pioneer of medical advancements. The support of Landmark Group takes us one step closer to our goal to improve the lives of people through medical research.”

Participating outlets across Landmark Group’s diverse retail and hospitality brands include Centrepoint, Babyshop, Shoe Mart, Splash, Lifestyle, Iconic, Emax, Home Centre, Home Box, Candelite, Max, Shoexpress, New Look, Koton, Reiss, Lipsy, Steve Madden, Foot Solutions, Pablosky, Kurt Geiger, Ecco, Fabi, SportsOne, Mango Tree, Max’s Restaurant, Balance Wellbeing, Zafran, and Fun City, among others.

Registrations for the sixth annual UAE Beat Diabetes walkathon, scheduled on 12 December, 2014 at Zabeel Park in Dubai, can be completed online at www.beatdiabetes.me from 7 November to 6 December, 2014. All participants who register before 6 December will receive the walk kit comprising a Beat Diabetes T-shirt, cap and walk sticker, via courier.

Fund-raising activities to raise money for the Al Jalila Foundation and for walkathons scheduled to take place across seven countries are scheduled for November, while December 2014 will mark the culmination of a year-long calendar of initiatives to Beat Diabetes.

This year, the walkathon spans a distance of approximately three kilometres around the circumference of the Zabeel Park periphery. A host of family-centric activities will be built around the walk, including special areas like the fitness zone, kids fun zone, sports zones, and live entertainment. Participants are also invited to benefit from the free blood glucose testing that will be available onsite.