Diabetes research is more crucial than ever given that those with the disease are known to be more vulnerable to developing a serious illness if they get coronavirus.

Staff at Diabetes UK have been as busy as ever supporting fundraising activities, including the charity's Million Step Challenge, taking over 45 million steps and raising £2,700, contributing to the record-breaking £1.95 million collected in total. Teams even competed against each other with a weekly updated leader board comparing number of steps and the amounts raised.

Founded in 1934 by novelist HG Wells and Dr RD Lawrence, both of whom had diabetes, the large charity campaigns for better care, treatment and support. It has invested more than £66m in research over the last decade in its the fight to end the harm caused by the condition.

London-based Diabetes UK, which employs 400 people in nine offices across Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland, already offered flexible working but removed the normal core hours stipulation during the pandemic, and encouraged staff to consider their wellbeing first.

During the summer, when the highest number of staff were furloughed, those still working received two extra paid days off a month to help cope with the extra stress. A time out hour with no meetings was also introduced along with wellbeing activities including staff-led mindfulness and yoga sessions, team Friday drinks and prize bingo.

The large organisation's ethos is based on the principles of putting people first, keeping things simple and being driven to know more.