SLIMMERS across Maldon have donated thousands of pounds in old clothes to Cancer Research UK.

Members of Slimming World groups across Maldon, Mayland, Burnham on Crouch, Kelvedon, Southminster, South Woodham, Danbury and Wickham Bishops raised £5,250, donating clothes they are absolutely confident they no longer have a need for.

The donation, made as part of the Big Golden Slimming World Clothes Throw saw Slimmers gather together a huge total of 210 black bin bags filled with clothing.

Kay Driscoll, who runs the Mayland and Burnham group was delighted with the total her slimmers have raised.

She said: “I can’t quite believe how many bags we managed to collect – and the fact we found some gold ones too, I can’t wait to see if any of my members are winners!

"I knew my members were amazing but I didn’t expect such an incredible level of effort.

“Seeing members donate their too-big clothes is just the cherry on top for me as a consultant.

"What I find so special is seeing members transform before my eyes as they lose weight.

"Many go from shy, apprehensive individuals who join with their confidence at rock bottom.

"They don’t believe they could ever lose the weight they dream of losing.

"When I look them in the eye and tell them they absolutely can be the size they want to be – whatever that is – and that I truly believe in them, things start to change."

The Big Golden Clothes Throw aims to raise awareness of how a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing some types of cancer.

Each bag filled by the members is worth around £25 each to Cancer Research UK.

In 2018, Slimming World raised £3million in the space of just two weeks, and a total of £12million since the cause was launched in 2012.

Kay expressed great pride in her members for what their achievements and she hopes it shows the difference a healthier lifestyle can make to a person.

She said: "Hopefully this campaign and our efforts for charity will help inspire more people in the Maldon district to improve their health and change their lives by losing weight too."