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We are dedicated to making a meaningful impact, alongside our own brand Xpert Workwear. Our core principles of People, Integrity, and Care guide us in our efforts to contribute positively and help build stronger communities.
This year, we take great pride in donating 1% of Xpert sales to causes that are close to our hearts, such as providing support to Diabetes UK and Diabetes Ireland. Our Sales Director, Reuben Quinn, who has been living with type 1 diabetes since his youth, serves as an inspiration for this support. Reuben's courageous story demonstrates that with determination, we can face challenges head-on, which aligns with the fundamental values of Xpert.
Our commitment extends beyond mere financial contributions. We strive to raise awareness and educate individuals, particularly those working in farming and construction who are more susceptible to diabetes. Through organising fundraising events and sharing information, we aim to emphasise the importance of prioritizing our health from an early stage. Xpert is not solely focused on funding; we actively promote better health and a better life for all.
REUBEN'S STORY
"I was 12 years old when I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I had all the usual symptoms, very thirsty and lethargic, going to the toilet a lot, and starting to lose weight.
Thankfully the symptoms were caught early so I didn’t get too sick but I was admitted to hospital and I remember the nurses telling me it wasn’t my fault and there was nothing I could have done to change it.
I made a commitment to myself then that this wasn’t going to define me, I wasn’t going to be the kid with diabetes at school, I was just going to fit in with everyone else. I have continued to carry the same attitude throughout my life that it’s my worry to look after my diabetes and I will just carry on as normal without having to concern others.
I once told a customer that I had Type 1 diabetes and his response was ‘You always seemed normal to me’. I remember being quite annoyed by this because I wondered what was so abnormal about living with diabetes.
However, there can be no doubt that diabetes has taken a lot from my family. My grandfather, John, also had type 1 diabetes and struggled terribly with it. The technology we have today was in its infancy and he only ever got to check his blood sugar at the hospital every 3 months, the rest was complete guesswork!
At the age of just 42 a nurse cut his foot while trimming his toenails. The cut never healed and soon after his toe was amputated, followed by his foot, his leg to the knee, and then his full leg. He also went blind due to bleeding in his eyes and spent the rest of his life in and out of hospital and passed away at the age of 50. Thankfully, there is much better access to eye and foot screening services today that help prevent these complications from occurring.
My dad, Leonard, was a 17-year-old at school when my grandfather lost his leg. He was an exceptionally bright student and had moved up a school year. However, due to my grandfather being unable to work and provide for the family, my dad had to leave school. He was young and ambitious and took my grandfather’s company in a new direction, using a buy/sell business model to sell fashion, which is the business model we still use today.
My father was then diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 25. Being a fighter, he didn’t let it hold him back in any way. He grew the business successfully, being loved by all the staff, and the legacy of his drive to succeed, yet his genuine care for all the people who worked for him very much still shape the business today. He led a full life despite his diabetes, but passed away very suddenly during the Christmas holidays of December 2018 at the age of 61. I learned more recently that his diabetes was probably a strong contributor to this.
This is why Xpert is supporting Diabetes UK and Diabetes Ireland for 2024. These charities do wonderful work to support people with diabetes and continue to advocate to get us access to the best treatment available.
In talking to them over the past number of months, we’ve learned that farm and construction workers, some of the key groups who use our products, are recognised as some of the groups at higher risk of developing diabetes due to their busy lives, often with long hours taking its toll on their health. So Xpert Workwear will use its reach to spread knowledge to our customers to help prevent/delay the onset of diabetes. They say that ‘prevention is better than cure’, but I can’t help thinking how much more important prevention becomes when, as yet, there is no cure."
- Reuben Quinn, Sales Director, Xpert Workwear
DIABETES UK ANNOUNCEMENT
This year we are proud to partner with Xpert Workwear. With the donation from Xpert, we will be able to continue to support many more people living with and affected by diabetes. We are very grateful for Xpert Workwear’s support to move us closer to our goal of a world where diabetes can do no harm.
Diabetes UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (no 215199) and Scotland (SC039136).
DIABETES IRELAND ANNOUNCEMENT
Diabetes Ireland and Xpert Workwear partner in a new campaign to raise awareness of Type 2 diabetes symptoms and risk factors among the farming community.
Diabetes Ireland is delighted to welcome Xpert Workwear, a leading manufacturer and supplier of quality workwear for farmers and tradespeople as a corporate partner for 2024.
This year, Diabetes Ireland and Xpert Workwear will work together to develop and launch a campaign to raise awareness of Type 2 diabetes symptoms and risk factors among the farming community in Ireland and encourage individuals to take early action by seeking a review with a GP, if they see they have multiple symptoms of the condition.
Diabetes Ireland CEO, Kieran O’Leary said:
“with the strong links Xpert Workwear has with the farming community in Ireland, it’s a great opportunity for us to deliver this campaign, and with the help of Xpert Workwear, reach every corner of the farming community in Ireland. With the ever-increasing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes, it's extremely important that we avail of every opportunity to highlight the symptoms and risk factors of Type 2 diabetes to the wider population."
