FIRMS across Hampshire have raised more than £25,000 to help find a cure for diabetes.

Eight companies have pledged the money to medical research charity Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for its forthcoming Walk to Cure Diabetes fundraiser.

It is hoped 1,500 people will take part in the five-mile walk around Itchen Valley Country Park on September 12, raising at least £100,000 for JDRF.

All proceeds will help fund research into type one - or juvenile - diabetes, which affects about 350,000 people in the UK.

Among international research projects part funded by the charity is one based at the University of Southampton.

Corporate sponsorship for the Walk to Cure Diabetes event has already clocked up a massive £27,000 towards the £100,000 target.

Organisations which have already handed over their contributions include: BAA Southampton Airport (£7,000); The Hendy Group (£3,000); VFS Southampton (£3,000); Ford Motor Company (£5,000); British Ports Authority Connect (£3,000); Intier Automotive (£1,500); Southampton City College (£1,500) and Glen Dimplex (£3,000).

The cheques were presented at a lunch at the Rose Bowl, West End, held for team captains tasked with recruiting groups of ten to take part in the fundraiser.

Walk chairman David Cumming, MD at Southampton International Airport, said: "There are two good reasons why JDRF in particular has my support in its mission to find a cure for diabetes.

"Firstly, because the money raised goes to the best researchers in the world and secondly because JDRF is one of the most cost-efficient organisations in the world, channelling 80 per cent of what it raises internationally into research."

For more information about this year's Walk to Cure Diabetes, contact JDRF on 023 8058 6269.