A ‘food amnesty’ campaign organised by a local Weight Watchers coach has seen the Salvation Army in Tenby benefit from donations by those keen to lose a few pounds over the festive period.

Local organiser Ceri Webb, of Wooden, joined Weight Watchers in January of 2017 after a battle with Breast Cancer had left her ‘overweight and lethargic’.

“I was on a lot of medication and had osteoporosis and osteoarthritis which made it painful to exercise and this was being exacerbated by the excess weight,” she explained.

Ceri says that she lost two-and-a-half stone (three dress sizes) through the Weight Watchers programme, and was so impressed with her weight loss, that she applied to become a coach.

“I achieved a more positive outlook and began the road back to fitness, and wanted to share my weight loss success and inspire others on their own journey regardless of their current weight, health, medication, mindset or fitness level,” she continued.

“As Christmas was approaching, we were talking in our meetings about all the temptations, not just at Christmas, but beyond into January when the cupboards were still full of food, so I came up with an idea to offer my members a ‘food amnesty’.

“What this meant was that throughout January I would collect any unwanted, unused food leftover from Christmas that the members would care to donate. These donations would be passed on to the Salvation Army in Tenby, where members of my family are volunteers, to help them with their incredible work with those less fortunate.

“The Weight Watchers members made a clean sweep of their cupboards to assist with their weight loss journeys and with the unwanted foodstuffs going to a good cause, it was a win-win situation!

“An early donation from a member of a large homemade Christmas cake was shared out during the Salvation Army Christmas Day lunch, which was organised by my sister-in-law and volunteer, Wendie James, who cooked a delicious dinner for those who would otherwise not have had one or would have been alone on Christmas Day,” continued Ceri.

The campaign has been so popular with Weight Watchers members, that they have asked Ceri to extend it to collect donations several times a year of bric-a-brac and clean good quality clothing.

Anyone interested in information regarding the Salvation Army in Tenby can pop into their base at Upper Park Road or call on 01834 843329.

For information on local Weight Watchers meetings in New Hedges, Saundersfoot and Tenby areas, please call Ceri Webb on 07961 048416.