You are here:
Thorlos sponsorship for Diabetes New Zealand
Beattie Matheson is Promoting Keeping Active as the Key to Preventing DiabetesEncouraging New Zealanders to take more care with their diet and get more active, more often to reduce the onset of diabetes is the goal of Auckland businessman John McMath.
The Managing Director of Beattie Matheson, importer and distributor of Thorlos socks has just signed a three year sponsorship agreement with Diabetes New Zealand, which he hopes will help to promote the 'eat smarter - exercise more' message.
McMath says, 'The sponsor partnership idea was ignited in my mind, after hearing that recent research shows 75% of all Type 2 diabetes in New Zealand is preventable.
'Inactivity, inappropriate diet and ill fitting footwear are all factors in Type 2 diabetes,' he says.
Thorlos (and Beattie Matheson) can help people to be more active by providing socks with extreme comfort (which when properly fitted with appropriate footwear) minimizes the probability of foot injuries such as blisters and can also provide part of the solution for people with diabetes.
Diabetes New Zealand President Murray Dear says, 'We are delighted to receive this much needed support to help raise awareness across New Zealand of diabetes, which is growing at an alarming rate and is affecting many New Zealanders.'
Former New Zealand Netballer and current Samoan coach, Linda Vagana, has first hand experience of the dangers diabetes poses for the average kiwi, with both her parents diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Linda says, 'This sponsorship is a step towards making people more aware of the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and activity, and is providing the right expertise to do so. This message is particularly important for the Māori and Pacific Island communities to take on board.'
She also puts herself in the at risk category. 'It puts me at a higher risk of developing the disease, so I need to be careful as well,' she says.
'We all need to understand that diabetes does not only affect people's insulin but also creates problems with circulation, particularly in feet and limbs.'
'Thorlos have always provided the right care for feet and it is great to see them partner with Diabetes New Zealand.'
The sponsorship money from Beattie Matheson will be used to fund the resources to enable Diabetes New Zealand to carry out a whole range of diabetes awareness activities.
McMath believes that Type 2 diabetes is a particularly sad disease because of how easily it can be prevented. 'While we are pleased to be able to offer this sponsorship to help get the awareness message out there, ideally it would be wonderful if New Zealanders took more care of themselves to keep diabetes at bay,' he says.
Beattie Matheson will be placing stickers on Thorlos sock packets. Dear says, 'For people with diabetes, good foot care is essential to avoid complications, which in time can lead to lower limb amputation. This is why we are thrilled to have Thorlos on board to help get a clear message across to New Zealanders about the seriousness of this problem and the necessary steps people need to make to ensure prevention.'
Published on this website on Fri, 03 Nov 2006