Age UK has been chosen as Bupa’s first ever UK-wide charity partner with the aim of raising £1m over the next two years.

Bupa announced today that 32,000 employees of the healthcare provider will take part in fundraising and volunteering activities for the charity, including Age UK’s 10k and 2k series of running events, Age UK and innocent’s Big Knit and Age UK’s The Big Chinwag.

Funds will go to the charity’s network of local partners, Age Cymru, Age Scotland and Age Northern Ireland, working in support of older people across the UK.

Age UK said the money will be spent on information and advice services, Age UK’s Call in Time telephone friendship service and local wellness programmes such as lunch clubs, exercise classes and befriending schemes through the Age UK network in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Laurie Boult, head of fundraising at Age UK said: “Bupa’s purpose of longer, healthier, happier lives really resonates with Age UK and our vision, so that’s why we’re working in partnership to help more people to love later life.

“With the number of people over 85 set to double in the next 20 years, the need to address issues affecting people in later life is more important now than ever.”

Richard Bowden, managing director of Bupa UK said: “The fit between our organisations is perfect and through our partnership we want to engage our people, customers and wider society to feel positive about ageing - because with the right planning and support everyone should be able to age well. We’re ambitious for our partnership, aiming to raise £1m over the next two years.”

Bupa has previously supported charities such as Diabetes UK and Alzheimer’s Society through the Bupa Great Run series, but has not had a formal charity partnership involving the whole organisation.