Above & BEYOND

Absolutely takes a closer look at the Essex accountant who has raised thousands for Diabetes UK in honour of his daughter

Hundreds of pounds have been raised for Diabetes UK by the Partner of Loughton accountancy firm, Haslers, in this year’s Ride LondonEssex 100 challenge. Mal Shah completed the 100-mile bike ride for the charity, which saw him cycle through the busy streets of London and out to the beautiful rural lanes of Essex, to give thanks for the support given to his daughter.

His daughter, Disha, was diagnosed at the age of 9 with Type 1 Diabetes. He said that charities like Diabetes UK have enabled her to manage this condition and live a normal life.

With the support of his colleagues, family, friends and local businesses, Mal managed to raise £2,077 for his chosen cause.

Speaking after the ride, Mal said: “The research and advancements made by Diabetes UK have really made a di erence to so many lives, including my own daughter's. Riding 100 miles is something that I have never really considered doing before, but I knew I wanted to give back to a cause that is so close to my heart. Supported by donations and well wishes from our team at Haslers, I was driven to cross that finish line.”

Jon O’Shea, Haslers’ Chairman, adds: “We are all really proud of Mal’s fundraising e orts. He has been training for some time and has worked hard to raise so much for an incredible charity.”

Haslers itself is no stranger to charity work, having previously raised more than £200,000 through its own in-house charity foundation. Whether you're looking for diabetes information, or just someone to talk to, Diabetes UK is there to help you. Their incredible supporters help them to provide their helpline, local support groups, Type 1 events, online Learning Zone, and even insurance, to name just a few.

Whilst Mal may have finished his challenge, his funding page is still open for donations at justgiving.com/fundraising/parimal-shah