Slimming World accolade for King's Lynn slimmer who battled with serious illness

A slimmer's battle with illness and then determination to succeed in changing her life for the better has earned her the admiration of members of her Lynn slimming group.

Sarah Wilson, from Lynn, was voted Woman of the Year by fellow slimmers who attend Slimming World classes at St John's Church in the Walks.

She had suffered from a brain tumour and was given an NHS referral, which gives people 12 weeks of free support at the slimming club.

Slimming World consultant in Emma Heaphy, who runs the group in Lynn, said Sarah's courage had been inspirational.

Emma said: "Sarah came to me in January 2020. It was my very first group as a brand new consultant. She had been given an NHS referral. She had battled a brain tumour and was very poorly, she lost her sight and was battling for her life.

"Thankfully her surgery was successful, but she was very down with the weight she had gained. So her specialist referred her to Slimming World with the free support.

"She had never been a member before and really enjoyed the plan. We sadly then went into lock down and Sarah felt lost without the group support. We were offering virtual support during this difficult time, with Zoom group meetings and members able to weigh at home and send their weights to their consultant.

"After six weeks Sarah decided to join us on the Zoom group and she was so happy to have that support again. We returned to group on September 2, and Sarah reached her target weight on the second week back. She has lost 1st 7lb and is now in a healthy BMI range."

Group members vote for the woman who they find the most motivational and inspirational. Sarah was voted the winner.

"I am so proud of her, this award is very much deserved," said Emma.

Slimming World works closely with Public Health England and more so now that ever they are encouraging people to become healthier and lose weight in the fight against Covid, added Emma.