SLIMMERS in Keighley and Silsden have found a new use for the clothes that no longer fit them.

They raised more than £1,000 for Cancer Research UK by donating clothes in larger sizes.

Together with fellow Slimming World groups in Skipton and Settle they raised a total of over £6,000.

Haulage company Nelsons Transport (Keighley) Ltd provided a van to deliver the donated clothes, shoes, homeware and accessories to the Cancer Research UK shop in Shipley.

The event was part of the national fundraising campaign, Big Golden Slimming World Clothes Throw, being held during the organisation’s 50th anniversary year.

As part of the campaign, anyone who finds a special golden bag gets a chance to win a VIP shopping and makeover experience. One of those bags was found by a member of the Laycock Slimming World group.

Each of the filled bags is worth around £25 to the charity, and this year’s campaign is aiming to beat the total raised in 2018 – £3million in just two weeks. Since 2012 the partnership has generated more than £12 million worth of stock.

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

Carla Weatherill runs the Slimming World group at Long Lee Methodist Chapel and is Team Developer for the Keighley, Skipton and Settle Team.

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

“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.”

Carla said group members learned to remove feelings of guilt around food, and feel empowered by what they could enjoy on Slimming World’s Food Optimising healthy eating plan.

She added: “Members also make friends in group, they celebrate success together and they are there for one another through the more challenging times too.

“As the weight drops off and the energy levels soar, many of them become more active too – walking, swimming, playing with the kids. They shed the shackles of their former selves – including the clothes they’ll never fit in again.”

Call 07881 953118 for further information about the Clothes Throw.