So confident they'll never need their larger sizes again, slimmers across Congleton have raised £2,925 by donating the clothes they've successfully slimmed out of to Cancer Research UK.

The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw raises funds by encouraging members to donate the clothes they've slimmed out of to their local Cancer Research UK and Irish Cancer Society shops.

The Tuesday Morning group at Congleton Cricket Club with Simon and the Thursday and Friday groups that meet at Wellspring Church, Canal Road with consultant Laura collected 117 bags of clothes, shoes, homeware and accessories as part of the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw.

The bags were all donated to local Cancer Research UK shops as part of the national fundraising campaign. Congleton's Slimming World groups delivered their 117 bags to Congleton's Cancer Re-Search UK Shop at 22 Bridge Street, which saw members of the public and workers from Jewellery Shop Hollins & Hollinshead all pitch in to help move the huge pile of purple bags down the pedestrianised area of the town to the Cancer Research Store.

Laura, who runs the Thursday and Friday Slimming World groups at Wellspring Church, is delighted to have raised so much money for charity.

She says: "I can't quite believe how many bags we managed to collect. I knew my members were amazing but I didn't expect such an incredible level of effort – wow!."

Simon Longden-Kirk, who runs the Tuesday morning groups at Congleton Cricket Club adds "Seeing members donate their clothes that have become too-big, 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."

"At group members learn to remove feelings of guilt around food, and instead feel empowered by all the Free Food they can enjoy on Slimming World's healthy eating plan Food Optimising. Through Food Optimising, they learn to change the way they think about food by making changes to the way they shop, cook and eat, and they lose weight without ever feeling like they have to restrict a thing or go hungry."

Laura continued: "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… there really is no stopping them! They shed the shackles of their former selves – including the clothes they'll never fit in again too.

"So many people don't know how much of a difference losing weight can make to health – including reducing the risk of developing a range of problems including some types of cancer.

Being overweight doesn't mean that someone will definitely develop cancer. But being overweight makes it more likely that someone will develop it, than if they are a healthy weight. A person's exact risk will depend on lots of factors, including things they can't change such as age and genetics."

"Losing weight and maintaining a healthy weight could prevent around 22,800 cases of cancer every year in the UK, and reduce the risk of 13 types of cancer - such as breast, bowel, womb, ovarian and gall bladder cancer. Hopefully this campaign and our efforts for charity will help inspire more people in Congleton to realise they can improve their health and change their lives by losing weight too."

"I'm so proud of my members and their efforts. They really do put their heart into everything they do. Whether it's their weight loss, supporting each other each week or raising money for charity... they continually blow me away!"

Anyone who would like to find out more about Slimming World or the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw is invited to get in touch with Laura on 07595 535 816, who runs the 9am, 10.30am, 5.30 & 7pm groups on a Thursday at Wellspring Church, Opposite Congleton War Memorial Hospital, and Friday at 9.30am.

Simply pop along to one of your local groups to find out more! Visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk