Slimmers shed a whopping 62 stones before tackling 5k race and winning award

As if shedding a whopping 62 stones between them wasn’t enough – a team of slimmers from the Peterborough area have now completed a 5k event – and won an award.

Thirty-three members of Bryan Houghton's Slimming World groups in Yaxley and Sawtry joined forces earlier this month to take on the Race For Life event at Burghley Park, Stamford.

Their combined efforts have raised more than £6,000 for Cancer Research UK – earning the team the ‘Top Fundraiser’ award.

One of the those lacing up her trainers on the day was 74 year-old Carol Soar, who completed the 3.1-mile course with the aid of a walker.

"Keeping active is so important,” says group consultant Bryan, 72. “The benefits are well-known and taking part in Race for Life is a fantastic community event whilst enjoying physical activity.”

Bryan, 72, had encouraged his members to increase their activity as part of Slimming World's ‘Body Magic’ activity programme, which runs in parallel to their well-known Food Optimising plan.

And the slimmer knows from personal experience how cancer can affect anyone – having been diagnosed with both bladder and bowel cancer last year.

“Having lost weight myself, I am firmly of the opinion that my recovery and coping with treatments including a major operation was made easier by being at a healthy weight,” he explains.

"In Men's Health Week, it is a good time to encourage men in particular to get checked out if something is not normal. It might seem embarrassing, but you are treated with complete professionalism and any awkwardness is quickly gone."

Kirsti Nicol, Slimming World’s district manager for Cambridgeshire said the group’s achievement at the 5k event was ‘amazing’ – adding: “Bryan’s Race for Life team have lost weight with him and would never have thought about taking part prior to this. They have raised money for an incredible cause, whilst having a positive impact on their own lives.”

To find out about the symptoms of bladder cancer visit the NHS website.