Local Slimming World co-ordinators Debra Maloney and Sue Holdcroft have encouraged their warm hearted slimmers from Ross-on-Wye, Monmouth and the Forest of Dean to help Cancer Research.

Participants of the Slimming World groups were asked to donate any clothing which no longer fits them due to their dramatic weight loss. These bags of clothing were donated to raise money for Cancer Research in their charity shops.

One of the members, Julia Richardson lost 3.8 stone, dropping from a size 20 to a 14/16. Julia was delighted that she could donate three bags full of clothes that are now too big for her.

Those three bags were among the 98 in total that Debra and Sue had collected. If each bag generates £30 from the sale of the contents, the women will have raised £2,940 from their efforts in the community.

Two gold bags have been placed amongst the other 4,000 from across the country, giving the lucky recipient a chance to meet TV star Peter Andre, who is a big supporter of Cancer Research.

The group member who receives the golden bag could also receive clothing vouchers for much needed new outfits as they will have donated much of their ‘before’ clothing during the event.

Ross Mumford, the stock collector for Cancer Research in south Wales, described the local efforts as, “phenomenal” and explained how he had collected 10,000 bags in the last week from different counties.

Communities nationally are pulling together to raise as much awareness and money as they can and it’s all adding up. Last year £2.1 million was raised during ‘The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw’ and this year they are aiming to raise at least £3 million.