The National Sponsored Family Walk & Fun Run 2008 was officially launched on Saturday 12 January 2008 by Mr Douglas Smallwood, CEO of Diabetes UK, at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London.

The launch also involved a diabetes awareness drive by BAPS and the leading British health charity with an information stand specially set up at in the Mandir foyer. Experts advised members of the community about coping with diabetes and living a healthier lifestyle to avoid the condition.

In a public gathering that evening, Mr Smallwood informed the audience of the staggering facts about diabetes in the UK: “More than 300 people are diagnosed with diabetes in the UK every day and the South Asian community is the most widely affected.” He ended by sharing his appreciation and excitement at working with BAPS. “I am very proud and grateful to BAPS for working with Diabetes UK this year to raise awareness of this disease.”