Big-hearted slimmers raise pounds for cancer charity

Members of the three Slimming World groups collected 107 bags of clothes they’ve successfully slimmed out of to raise money for Cancer Research UK as part of the national fundraising campaign, the ‘Big Slimming World Clothes Throw’. Claire, Sharon and Lucy who run the Ashington, Pulborough and Southwater groups, who meet every week, encouraged members, their friends and families in their towns to collect the clothes, shoes and accessories they no longer need to generate stock for the Horsham Cancer Research UK shops. Claire says, “This year’s Big Slimming World Clothes Throw event has been a fantastic success and I was overwhelmed by the amount of bags my members managed to collect for Cancer Research UK – they really are amazing! “It was a fantastic atmosphere in group and it was so rewarding to raise such a phenomenal amount of stock for such an incredible cause. It’s not just members of the group who have cleared out their wardrobes – we’ve had great support from the whole community. I’m still buzzing from all the donations we’ve had! “Because my members are so sure they’ll never need their ‘big’ clothes again, when I told them about the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw they couldn’t wait to bag them up and donate them to charity. “Members of the groups have lost an amazing amount of weight between them since January this year simply by making small changes to the way they shop, cook and eat and by becoming more active. “But the best thing about our group is the caring support members give to each other, spurring each other along and sharing recipes and tips every week. “The Clothes Throw is a perfect opportunity for all of us to celebrate our success, inspire other people and raise money for charity at the same time. There is also a more serious side to our support for Cancer Research UK however: one in two people are diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime, and being overweight can increase the chance of developing the disease. It is vital we spread the message that healthy eating, being physically active and losing weight by adopting healthy habits all help reduce the risk of developing cancer.” The clothes collected by Slimming World will be donated to Cancer Research UK shops across the country, with each bag raising up to £25 for the charity. Last year slimmers collected close to £1million worth of stock for Cancer Research UK shops around the country and they’re hoping to beat that total this year. All profits go to support the charity’s life-saving work to help beat cancer sooner. This year the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw was also supported by parcel collection service Doddle, who have stores in and around selected train stations across the UK. Doddle stores served as quick drop off points for Consultants to donate their members’ clothes to Cancer Research UK. n Anyone who’d like to lose weight and join Slimming World is welcome at the group, who meet every week: Ashington Social Club, Mill Lane, Ashington Tuesdays 7.30pm. Claire: 07881 627285 St Mary’s C of E Primary School, Link Lane, Pulborough, Sat AM 8.30am & 10.30am. Sharon: 07813133669 Southwater Village Hall, Church Lane, Southwater, Thursdays 7.30pm. Lucy 07799 220365. Report and picture contributed by Claire Sandhu.