Kind-hearted slimmers in Ross-on-Wye, Monmouth and the Forest of Dean are clearing out their wardrobes and donating clothes they’ve successfully slimmed out of, for an event in support of Cancer Research UK that aims to raise £3million.

Member, Karen McDermott, from Cinderford, has lost four stones in six months and can’t wait to celebrate her weight loss with the charity event: "I’ve been putting bits aside for a couple of weeks now, ready to bag it all up in June - dresses that no longer fit, belts I’ve grown too small for and t-shirts I once hid in. There are even shoes that seem to be a bit too roomy for me now! Now I’m proud to wear colourful clothes that show off my new figure and I no longer feel the need to cover up or wear dark colours.”

‘The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw’ is a two-week long event that runs in Slimming World groups across the UK from June 5th - 18th. Members confident enough to know they’ll never need their ‘before’ clothes again are being invited to donate clothes, shoes, bags and accessories to local Cancer Research UK shops, by collecting them in special bags and taking them along to their weekly group.

Last year, The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw raised £2.1million, and this year it is set to be bigger and better. New for 2017, group members who find one of the 4,000 specially-branded golden bags to donate their clothes in will be entered into a prize draw, giving them a chance to meet a mysterious celebrity who is a big supporter of Cancer Research UK, or win shopping vouchers to replace the clothes they’ve kindly donated.

Local weight loss Consultants who run the Ross Slimming World groups are so confident that their members will never need to see their larger clothes again that they’re expecting a fantastic amount of bags. Sue said:?“Lots of people don’t know that keeping a healthy weight helps reduce the risk of developing some types of cancer. The Clothes Throw is a really good opportunity to remind people of the importance of maintaining a healthy weight.”

Debra added:?“It’s also a chance for the members who have done well to celebrate their amazing weight losses by saying goodbye to their ‘before’ clothes!"

Anyone who would like to take part in The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw or find out more about Slimming World is invited to get in touch with Sue, who runs the Monday 9.30am group or Debra who has groups every Monday at 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm and at 9am on Tuesdays at the Larruperz Centre. Sue can be contacted on 07917 834512 or Debra on 07895 257037.