Slimming World members across Powys have raised £5,542 for Cancer Research UK by donating clothes they’ve slimmed out of to the charity’s shops.

The donations were made as part of the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw, an annual nationwide event run in partnership with Cancer Research UK. Members donate good quality clothes, shoes, and accessories that no longer fit – and that they’re confident they won’t need again – to support the charity’s life-saving work.

The Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells and Kington Slimming World groups, who meet weekly, have collected 163 bags to help support life-saving research.

Slimming World Consultants Anna James and Dawn Sheehy, who run groups in Builth, Llandrindod and Kington, say they are so proud of how their members have come together to support the charity, as well as to celebrate how far they’ve come on their own weight loss journeys.

Anna and Dawn said: “It’s always a pleasure to see the excitement in group when The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw comes around. When you’re losing weight, it can be easy to focus on the number on the scales without realising how many non-scale victories are happening in the background, like our changing dress sizes and body shapes.

“This event celebrates those victories as it is all about members donating their old wardrobe while raising money for an important cause. It makes us so happy to see the confidence in our members as they commit to donating their larger clothes knowing they will never need them again, because they’ve made healthy changes they can maintain for life!”

As well as raising funds for Cancer Research UK, the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw raises awareness of how maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of 13 different types of cancer. Overweight and obesity is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK - causing more than one in 20 cancer cases.

Anna and Dawn added: “Being overweight doesn’t necessarily mean that a person will develop cancer, but we know that losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent a number of health conditions, including some types of cancer. We are proud to host The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw at our Slimming World groups to help Cancer Research UK continue its vital work.”

Over the years, Slimming World has raised more than £25 million for Cancer Research UK through a variety of campaigns.

The Builth Wells Slimming World group is held at The Strand Hall in Builth Wells on Thursdays at 5:30pm and 7pm, the Llandrindod groups are held at The British Legion on Wednesdays at 5:30pm and 7pm and Saturday morning at 9:30am and the Kington groups are on Tuesdays at 9am, 10:30am, 5:30pm and 7pm.

For more information or to join one of Anna or Dawn’s groups either pop along or call Anna on 07929 483 784 or Dawn on 07565 453 910.

For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or call 0344 897 8000.