Slimming World donations in the bag for Roscommon and Irish Cancer Society

Generous slimmers in County Roscommon have been donating the clothes they’ve slimmed out of to The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw in support of the Irish Cancer Society.

The Slimming World groups in Co. Roscommon have collected bags of the clothes, shoes and accessories from members who slimmed out of their old wardrobes and feel confident they’ll never need their ‘before’ clothes again. With each 10kg bag worth around €25 to the charity, the slimmers have raised almost €10,000.

Since 2013, Slimming World members in Ireland have donated over €673,000 worth of clothes for the Irish Cancer Society thanks to this activity. The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw aims to increase awareness of how keeping a healthy weight helps reduce the risk of developing some types of cancer.

‘Felt liberating’ Jacinta Farrell, a member who has lost just over four stone since joining Slimming World says, “It felt amazing to donate all of my old clothes – liberating in fact! Bagging them up and saying goodbye was like a celebration of just how far I’ve come. I’ve lost 4 stone and not only do I feel like a new person, now I dress like one too and love going into a shop and choosing whatever I like. I always hated shopping before and just wanted to cover up and hide away. Not any more though!

“Thanks to the amazing support I get from my consultant and the rest of the group each week, I know that this new me is here to stay. I feel much fitter, confident and healthier than I’ve ever felt before.

“The Irish Cancer Society is a fantastic charity and one that’s very dear to my heart. It’s great to know that the money raised from my donated items will help support life-saving research”.

‘So proud’ Consultant Pauline Bliss, who runs groups in Hannon’s Hotel, Roscommon, and St Joseph’s Resource Centre in Boyle, is so proud of her members’ fundraising efforts. She says, “The members never fail to amaze me with their weight loss results week after week, but now I have been blown away by their generosity; it’s been great to see so many bags of clothes donated through ‘The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw’ to such a worthy cause”.

‘Group was buzzing’ Trish Keegan, who runs the groups in Gleeson’s Restaurant and in the

GAA club in Castlerea, says, “This year’s Clothes Throw has been a fantastic success, and I can’t believe just how many bags my members, their friends and families have managed to collect. Our group was buzzing and when we collected the bags up and saw what a phenomenal amount there were altogether, and we realised what a difference we could make, the atmosphere was just electric”.

Helps on health

Carol Doran Joyce, who runs the groups in Kiltoom Parish Hall, says, “Lots of people don’t know that maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce the risk of developing some types of cancer. All of the wardrobes cleared and every donation made by our members, their friends and families will make a huge difference to the Irish Cancer Society and we’re so grateful for everyone’s support”.

Celebrating weight loss

Aisling Anderson, who runs the group in Ballaghaderreen, says “The Clothes Throw has been a great chance for the members who have done so well to celebrate their amazing weight losses by saying goodbye to their ‘before’ clothes! It is a fantastic opportunity for them to celebrate their weight losses, because they know that with our fabulous Food Optimising healthy eating plan along with the support they get in our groups, they’ll never need to see those sizes again”.

‘Feeling fantastic’

Sheila McLoughin, who runs the groups in Strokestown Community Centre, says, “When we meet each week we laugh together, share challenges and tips for overcoming them, celebrate success and swap inspiration, share tips for getting more active and recipes that fit with our

Food Optimising eating plan. I am so proud to see our members say goodbye to those larger sizes and set targets for enjoying a healthier life and summer, feeling absolutely fantastic”. Anyone who would like to find out more about Slimming World is invited to get in touch with their local consultant. New members are very welcome, and all details of the local groups can be found on slimmingworld. ie.