Melksham Slimming World members run to support cancer charity

Slimming World members in Melksham raised nearly £1,400 for Cancer Research UK by taking part in Bath’s Race for Life last month.

Nine members and friends walked, jogged and ran the race to raise money for the charity and remember friends and family members affected by cancer.

“In January the team started to train for the event by attending the Melksham parkrun in King George V Park at 9am every Saturday to ensure that the 5km distance of the Race for Life was a comfortable achievement,” said Kathy, the Slimming World consultant at The Guide Hut in Melksham.

“Through snow, rain and sun they have attended to give them the confidence and improved weight losses for the event.  The team contained four members who have already achieved their target weights and in total the team have so far lost over 18 stone.

“Supporting cancer research has helped many members who have either been directly affected by cancer themselves or been affected by friends and family members having cancer.

“Coming together as a team has motivated us all to raise money and enjoy the exercise together. In all, the team raised £1,397.22. We’ve also continued at parkrun with more members now taking part and helping with our healthy exercise (body magic) programme that supports weight loss.

“The Slimming World programme, which is based on real and sustainable behaviour change, helps members to achieve their weight-loss goals and introduce physical activity into their lives at their own pace. Through weekly support they are encouraged to move more, more often helping to make physical activity an enjoyable part of their everyday life. They also meet other like-minded people, make friends and have fun – as demonstrated by our members who joined in the local Race for Life event this summer!

“Since 2013, Slimming World members countrywide have helped to raise more than £20m for Cancer Research UK in fundraising through events such as the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw which raised £2.9 million this year.  The Melksham Slimming World groups took our support one step further by supporting the Bath Race for Life event on Sunday the 7th July.”

If you are interested in joining Slimming World, Kathy’s groups are held at The Guide Hut (near Waitrose Car Park), Bath Road Melksham on Thursdays at 5:30pm or Fridays 9am or 10:30am; contact Kathy on 07442 728134, go along to a session or see them at Park Run to find out more.