SLIMMERS in Menston are celebrating losing over 500lb between them in April alone by donating their now too-big clothes to charity.

As part of a national campaign, members of the Menston Slimming World group are being invited to donate the clothes, shoes, bags and accessories they no longer need since losing weight to local shops via a bag collection at their Slimming World groups.

The slimmers, who meet every Monday at 5pm and 7pm at Menston Methodist Church hope to collect up to 100 bags. Each bag is worth around £25 to Cancer Research UK.

The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw is taking place in all 18,000 Slimming World groups across the UK and Ireland. Last year the campaign raised £3.3million.

As well fundraising, Slimming World also aims to raise awareness of the links between obesity and cancer.

Obesity is the biggest cause of cancer after smoking, but only 15 per cent of people are aware of the link. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing 13 different types of cancer, including bowel, kidney and breast cancer.

Local weight-loss Consultant Anna Bonner took over the Menston group at the beginning of April and said: “This is the first year I’ve run a Big Slimming World Clothes Throw event and both myself and all my members are so excited to take part.

“It’s such a liberating feeling having the confidence to bag up clothes you’ll never fit into again, all while raising money for an extremely important cause."

Anna, who is from Menston, originally attended the Menston group as a member where she lost seven stone. Since taking over running the group at the beginning of April Anna has welcomed 52 new members. She added: “I’m delighted to see the group flourishing with some fabulous weight loss results. Since the beginning of April my amazing members have lost over 500lb between them and I’ve been privileged to be able to give out 50 weight loss awards, ranging from half a stone up to 7.5 stone. I know that the whole group is feeling the benefits of Slimming World and can’t wait to see them all achieve their dream target weight”

Anyone who would like to take part in the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw or find out more about Slimming World can contact Anna on 07429 353079.