SLIMMERS, who managed to show how it was possible to indulge in cake and still lose weight, raised money for Julia's House at the same time.

Members of a Devizes Weight Watchers group run by Melanie Hamblin held the coffee and cake morning at St Andrew's Church last week to raise money for the cause supported by the Gazette & Herald as part of our 200 Appeal.

We are aiming to raise £100,000 during 2016 to pay for carers for families in Wiltshire with children with life limiting illnesses.

Ms Hamblin was delighted with both the way her coffee morning with a twist worked to showcase how Weight Watchers can allow for the odd indulgence and with the £78.60 raised for the children's hospice.

She said: "You can have the odd indulgence and loose weight too. We have lots of inspirational members who have done just that.

"The members brought along low Smart Pointed goodies that they had made to indulge in, including ginger and marmalade cookies, blueberry traybake, lemon drizzle muffins & carrot & orange cake.

"Who says you can't have a treat and lose weight? In fact they lost an amazing 55.5lbs between them that morning.

"The members are such an inspirational bunch who support each other week in, week out. On the day of the coffee morning we saw two ladies achieving their 1st stone, another hitting her 2.5st and yet another reaching 15 per cent body weight loss. She is having to hold her skirt up as it's way too big for her now."

Group members are also planning a second event for Julia's House and this time want to combine keeping fit with raising money.

Ms Hamblin said: "We hope to get more involved with possibly a sponsored walk in the autumn to keep the ball rolling on fund raising for the hospice and help to keep us fit & healthy."