Super stars step up for Diabetes NZ

Super stars step up for Diabetes NZ

Some of the country’s most famous faces and top business minds are stepping up to the plate this February for Diabetes New Zealand’s annual Fitbit MoveMeant Challenge.

Every year Diabetes NZ partners with champion sponsor, Fitbit and prominent New Zealanders help drive awareness of diabetes in New Zealand. Through the Fitbit MoveMeant Challenge participants are challenged to step up their exercise to outdo fellow competitors.

In previous years, this challenge has attracted some stellar competitors like Jacinda Ardern and Andrea Hewitt. This year a new group of Kiwis has accepted the challenge to ‘Join the MoveMeant’. Health and wellbeing heavyweight Art Green will be up against the nation’s sweethearts Brett and Angel Renall (Married at First Sight NZ) to out step and claim the championship for 2018. Other competitors include the formidable Mark Richardson, yogi Rachel Grunwell and leading presenters Nickson Clarke, Sam Wallace, Mel Homer, Carly Flynn and Toni Street.

This year, the celebrity line up will go up against the nation’s brightest business leaders and industry professionals. Previous winner, Andrew Barnes from Perpetual Guardian was champion in 2015 and is back on board this year armed with the task of reclaiming his title. National MP Hamish Walker will compete against Sir Eoin Edgar, Dr Lee Mathias, Sir Ralph Norris, Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement and Assistant Commissioner Richard Chambers (from New Zealand Police) and Mitchell Brown from Rotary New Zealand.

Diabetes New Zealand’s new CEO, Heather Verry, says the challenge of helping New Zealander’s living with diabetes is growing each year. “Diabetes in New Zealand touches the lives of so many. Nearly everyone knows a friend or a loved one managing diabetes on a daily basis. Unfortunately, we estimate that there are still around 100,000 people that are living undiagnosed, which can lead to serious consequences. Our aim is to raise awareness, with the help of our influential friends competing. If one person is diagnosed with diabetes and given the tools to manage it effectively because of this challenge, then all the steps are worth it.”

Verry is excited to see the Fitbit MoveMeant Challenge line-up for 2018. “What a turn out! We are proud to have so many supporters stepping up and out for diabetes. No doubt there will be some serious competitive banter between the participants!”

Diabetes NZ is a charitable organisation that helps support the New Zealand community living with diabetes. Diabetes is New Zealand’s fastest growing health concern, affecting more than 257,000 children and adults nationwide. Diabetes NZ has branches across the country specialised in providing support, information and resources to New Zealander’s living with diabetes.

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