MEMBERS of a slimming group in Blacon are putting their weight behind a new charity campaign that aims to raise awareness of the links between obesity and cancer.

The slimmers, who attend the Blacon Enterprise Centre Slimming World group, have lost 164 stone between them since the start of 2018.

Not only are they feeling lighter and brighter, they’re celebrating improving their health too. And that’s why they’re supporting Cancer Research UK’s latest obesity campaign which aims to highlight the link between weight and the risk of developing cancer.

The national campaign, which is running throughout March, highlights how being overweight or obese as an adult is linked to 13 different types of cancer, including breast, bowel and kidney cancer. Shockingly, only 15% of people in the UK are aware of the link, according to CRUK.

Cancer Research UK is Slimming World’s national charity partner and Slimming World has raised more than £10million for the charity since the partnership began in 2013.

In August last year, the Blacon Enterprise Centre Slimming World group slimmers raised £125 for Cancer Research UK by walking together at the Countess of Chester Country Park as part of their Walk All Over Cancer with Slimming World event.

Consultant Chris Sayers, who runs the Blacon Enterprise Centre Slimming World group and lost five stone herself as a Slimming World member, said: “I knew losing weight improved people’s health, but I couldn’t believe it when I became a consultant and found out that obesity is the biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking.

“We can all take steps to reduce our risk of cancer and one of those steps is to maintain a healthy weight, as well as eating healthily and keeping active.

“We know that developing these healthy habits is far easier said than done and that’s what is so great about our group - each week members get all the support, advice and inspiration they need to make these changes, so when they leave group they feel 10ft tall and empowered to make healthy choices that are easy to implement, for the week ahead and beyond! We really are one big family and anyone in Chester who wants to make their weight-loss dream a reality - and their health a priority too - is more than welcome to join us each week at the Parade Enterprise Centre in Blacon.”

To find out more about Cancer Research UK’s obesity campaign visit: www.cruk.org/obesityandcancer and for more information about the Blacon Enterprise Centre Slimming World group contact Chris Sayers on 07824 617652.