Surrey accountant's triple challenge for Diabetes UK

A Surrey accountant is taking on an incredible challenge to support Diabetes UK, aiming to swim, walk and cycle the distance of the English Channel. Emma House, a project accountant at UK Power Networks, has ramped up the difficulty level for her second year in the Swim22 challenge, tripling her efforts to get in shape and show solidarity with friends and colleagues living with diabetes.

Having completed Swim22 last year, Emma is now pushing herself to 'swim, walk, and cycle' a total of 44 miles, equivalent to travelling from England to France and back. Her goal is to raise over £300 for Diabetes UK, with UK Power Networks generously offering £100 in match funding.

To accomplish this feat, Emma must complete 2,832 lengths of her local pool, spend 20 hours on an exercise bike at her gym and log 22 hours walking with her dogs Forrest and Willow. Emma decided to increase the challenge after struggling to secure sponsorship initially.

She said: “I added walking and cycling to make it as hard as possible. It is a challenge and I do get tired, but there’s no point doing it if it’s easy. I’ll have to add skateboarding next year.” Emma is also an unaffiliated dressage competitor, who rides four times a week, but she says 44-miles of dressage on her pony Daisy is definitely not on the cards.

Jill Steaton, Diabetes UK Head of South East Coast and London, said: “Thank you once again to Emma for everything she is doing to raise much-needed funds for Diabetes UK. We’ll be cheering her on. Not to mention Forrest and Willow.

“The money raised will help fund ground-breaking research, care services and campaigns that can change the lives of people living with diabetes.”

In Surrey alone 52,484 people are diagnosed with diabetes, 5.8% of the population. Nationally, 4.8 million people are living with diabetes in the UK, and a further 12 million are at risk of type 2 diabetes. The money raised by Swim22 will help Diabetes UK fund the development of life-changing treatments.

Emma praised Swim22 for bringing the diabetes community together in a positive and inclusive way and invited anyone who can to support her 'mad' challenge by visiting her fundraising page: Support Emma in the Diabetes UK Swim22 2024

Location: Salfords, Surrey