Weigh to go! Group shed pounds to raise pounds for hospice

From left, back row: Mandy Lydick, Nick Samuel, Martin Hubbard, Samantha Sage. Front: Amanda Mason, Sue Newling

The Biggest Loser competition, run by Rennie Grove Hospice, challenged people to slim down for sponsorship money and together they raised £8,000.

Biggest loser Nick Samuel, 42, lost three stone - 14.2 per cent of his body weight - in less than five months.

He weighed more than 21 stone in January but after a rigorous 18-week training regime at Aqua Vale, now weighs 18 stone.

He said: “It was very good. The gym, raising money and meeting people. I did a lot of miles on that bike but I’ll be back to do more. I’m definitely going to keep it up.”

Nick trained alongside 14 others - four of which are from the Aylesbury Vale. He won a styling package, courtesy of Styled by Mel, and a year’s free gym membership at Aqua Vale.

Martin Hubbard from Aylesbury took the top fundraiser prize, raising over £1,300 through cake sales, quizzes and a market stall. He won a spa day in St Albans.

Sue Newling said the competition has helped her learn ‘good habits’ and now feels ‘brave enough to go to the gym’. Mandy Lydick, a personal trainer at Aqua Vale, said: “I’ve absolutely loved the Biggest Loser initiative.

“It’s great to see a visible difference thanks to all their hard work.”