SLIMMERS from the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area are aiming to Walk All Over Cancer.

A team of slimmers from Cardenden, Cowdenbeath, Hill of Beath and Kelty will join with colleagues from Dunfermline, High Valleyfield, Inverkeithing, Oakley, Rosyth, Saline and Touch to the Walk All Over Cancer with the Slimming World challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK this August.

The slimmers have each pledged to walk the Forth Road Bridge on Sunday August 20 and will be sponsored by fellow members, friends and families. As well as raising vital funds for charity, the members hope to raise awareness of the fact that keeping a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing 13 types of cancer.

Amanda Wallace, from Kelty, has lost six stone since joining the village group last year and is looking forward to taking part in the Walk All Over Cancer challenge.

She said: “If you’d asked me to walk the Forth Bridge a year ago when I joined, I’d have thought you were mad – walking even a hundred yards just seemed totally out of reach!

However, thanks to the amazing food I’m eating and the fact I’m losing weight each week, I have so much more energy now to take on this challenge!

“In one of our weekly group sessions we started talking about easy ways to fit steps in gradually and I soon realised how much more I could be walking just by building in a few extra steps each day. "Parking the car further from work, walking with friends, getting off the bus a stop before, playing with the kids, taking the stairs instead of the lift – it’s amazing what can make a huge difference.”

She added: “Just like with my weight loss target, my Consultant encouraged me to choose an activity goal that was right for me. And that’s one of my favourite things about Slimming World – the flexibility.

"From the generous eating plan, which allows me to satisfy my appetite on lots of tasty everyday food like chicken curry and fish and chips, to also taking part in activities I enjoy and that fit into my lifestyle – it all makes the weight loss and moving more so much easier to achieve.”

Weight loss Consultant, Alun Fotheringham, who runs the Kelty and Cowdenbeath Slimming World groups each week, said: “I’m so proud of Amanda and all of my members who have set themselves the challenge of walking more this August.

"At Slimming World, we encourage taking activity step-by-step and at a suitable pace, until it becomes an enjoyable part of our daily routine.

"In our group we all support each other to live a healthier and more active lifestyle.

“I’m sure my members will inspire more people to get active and improve their health, while also raising awareness of the links between obesity and cancer. The money raised will go towards an amazing cause – one my members feel very passionate about – helping to support Cancer Research UK’s life-saving research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all cancers.”

For more information about the Kelty and Cowdenbeath Slimming World groups or their Walk All Over Cancer campaign event contact Alun on 07501 917 826 or pop along to the group which is held every Tuesday at 3.30pm, 5.30pm or 7.30pm at the Hill of Beath Club, or Wednesday at 5.30pm or 7.30pm at Kelty Community Centre.