Tesco employees, suppliers and customers raised over £18m for Diabetes UK between March 2013 and December 2014, it has been announced today.

The £18.6m figure is the largest amount ever raised through a Tesco charity partnership in the United Kingdom, with the money going towards medical research as well as education and awareness programs for those at risk of, or currently living with, type two diabetes.

The total was reached through staged fundraising challenges involving Tesco employees and staff. Suppliers linked with the supermarket chain supported the fundraising efforts with promotions of their own while customers also made their own donations. 

Paul Amadi, director of fundraising at Diabetes UK, said: “Raising £18.6 million is an incredible achievement and far beyond our expectations when we began working with Tesco.

“The funds raised have enabled us to help more than 200,000 people find out their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, invest in ground breaking research and help thousands of people to manage their condition better through nationwide education events.”

Josh Hardie, corporate responsibility director for Tesco said: “This is an absolutely huge achievement and I’d like to say a big thanks to Tesco colleagues and customers who really went the extra mile to raise such a fantastic amount.

"Our partnership with Diabetes UK has been our most successful charity partnership ever, and the money raised will make a huge difference to millions of people living with diabetes as well as many more who are at risk of developing it.”

In January, Tesco announced a three year extension to the existing partnership, but said the money will be split with the British Heart Foundation. The partnership will aim to raise a further £30m by 2018.

Diabetes UK hope to spend the funds on initiatives which will educate people about how healthy lifestyle and diet options greatly reduce the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease.