Wymondham man's weight loss charity plan

A Wymondham man is hoping to shed as much weight as possible in five months in a bid to raise �1,000 for a local charity.Andy Gardiner, 48, hopes his mission to slim down his 23st 1lb frame will benefit Wymondham-based charity Star Throwers, which provides cancer patients with information on conventional treatments and complementary therapies.

A Wymondham man is hoping to shed as much weight as possible in five months in a bid to raise �1,000 for a local charity.

Andy Gardiner, 48, hopes his mission to slim down his 23st 1lb frame will benefit Wymondham-based charity Star Throwers, which provides cancer patients with information on conventional treatments and complementary therapies.

He is being helped by the landlords of the Windmill pub, Colin and Hayley Robson, who are hosting a public weigh-in each week and collecting sponsorship.

They are also throwing in a pound for every pound Andy loses, but the deal is he will have to dig into his own pocket if any of the weight creeps back on.

Andy's get fit campaign kicked off at the end of March and so far he has lost about half a stone, but he plans to up his game in the coming weeks with the aim of losing about five stone by the end of the challenge in September.

He said he was inspired to help Star Throwers after hearing other regulars in the pub talk about the good work the charity does.

'I needed to lose weight so I decided to do a sponsored slim because it focuses me if I do it for a charity. It's a good incentive. It benefits me, it benefits them and hopefully I will have a nice cheque to present to them at the end of September,' he said.

Andy, who owns a health insurance brokers in Norwich, hopes to lose the weight through sensible eating and exercise.

He is also a qualified Norfolk cricket umpire and as a player held the county league record for runs not out (223) for 17 years.

People can sponsor Andy by popping into the Windmill pub, in Norwich Road, or by calling 01953 602131.