SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Carole Bennett has one thing on her mind - pounds, and lots of them.

Not only is the 61-year-old hoping to lose them as she starts her diet, she is also aiming to raise some for the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

Carole weighed 17.4 stone, or 110kilos, on March 21, when she began her diet. She has already lost half a stone by cutting out alcohol and doing more exercise. But she still wants to get down to 10 or 11 stone.

And since she read about the appeal in the Evening Advertiser, Carole has been asking her friends and family to sponsor her for her efforts.

Losing weight is just one of a number of ideas Advertiser readers have come up with to raise money since the Swindon Cancer Appeal was launched.

Carole, of Dean Street, Rodbourne, said: "I wanted to lose weight anyway and had already started when I saw a story in the Advertiser.

"I thought it would be a really good idea to combine the slimming with raising money.

"I'm pleased I've already had a but of success. It's down to Rosemary Conley's exercise video, which tells you all about stretching and low impact aerobics.

"And I haven't had a drink since I started either even though I used to like a whiskey in the evening.

"I've still got five-and-a-half stone to lose."

Carole is not the only one in the Bennett household upping the ante in the diet and exercise stakes.

Her husband Ben, 67, and even the dog, are getting fitter as the trio go for walkies three times a day.

Carole, a part time cleaner, said: "I'm absolutely exhausted when I finish the video each time as well as going for so many walks but it's all worth it.

"I'm glad to be supporting the appeal. I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed and keep on praying that I can do it.

"I'm determined to show people I can do it. I've got faith in me and that's all that really matters."

Ben, a former factory operative, said: "I really hope Carole does it. I've a lot of faith in her.

"I'm a bit of a porker so I'll be eating healthier meals with her. This diet will benefit both of us, as well as the Swindon Cancer Appeal."

Carole only has a few names on her sponsorship form at the moment, and has raised £25. But she's hoping her friends and family will now get behind her and pledge their cash for our appeal.

Carole is following the Weight Watchers diet. To find out more visit www.weightwatchers.com.

And to sponsor Carole in her bid, call her on (01793) 340714.

You could soon be eating healthier

Food can be split into five basic groups, plus drinks.

They are fruit and vegetables, meats and proteins, cereals and grains, fats and sugars, and dairy.

The key is balancing the amount of each in your diet to leave you feeling healthy and full of energy.

Everyone should eat a nutritionally adequate and varied diet, based primarily on foods of plant origin.

In particular, eat five or more servings a day of a variety of vegetables and fruits and avoid excessive red meat consumption.

Red meat should provide less than 10 per cent of your total energy needs or less than three ounces daily. Avoid being underweight or overweight and limit weight gain during adulthood to less than 11 pounds.

It is also important to maintain physical activity. If occupational activity is low or moderate, take an hour's brisk walk or similar exercise daily.

Eating less salty foods is also advised. Use herbs and spices to season food when cooking instead.

www.lifebytes.gov.uk

www.caloriecounter.co.uk

To make a donation to the appeal online, click here.

Tell us about your fundraising event, click here.