Slimming World Consultant Ivan Black wins Pride of Britain award for incredible fundraising efforts

Ivan Black has raised over half a million pounds for cancer charities in honour of his family members who passed away with cancer. His fundraising journey began over 30 years ago, following the death of his brother, Ian, from leukaemia. Ivan promised Ian that he’d keep his memory alive and has been fundraising ever since.

For the past seven years, Ivan’s fundraising has been for Cancer Research UK. Each year, Ivan and his group members take part in the Big Slimming World Clothes Throw by donating clothes that they have slimmed out of to sell in the charity’s stores. They once donated 1,600 bags in a year.

Alongside this, the 61-year-old takes part in its Relay For Life, an annual event where teams of friends and families fundraise in the months leading up to a unique festival to remember loved ones, honour everyone affected by cancer, and celebrate the progress being made in the fight against the disease.

Ivan said: “When I set out on this journey, all I wanted was to help one person - I never do any of this for the glory. Losing my brother was devastating and something no family should have to go through, and I made the promise to him during his final days that I would do all I could to honour him and help families like ours deal with such tragedy."

After suffering with knee pain, Ivan joined Slimming World in September 2010 and has since lost 7st 10lb. Slimming World’s generous and flexible Food Optimising eating plan means nothing is off limits and has taught Ivan how to identify healthy swaps. Losing weight has eased Ivan’s knee pain and now allows him to complete marathons and other charity hikes.

After taking control of his weight for good, Ivan wanted to take the knowledge and skills he had learned and help others achieve their dreams. He became a Slimming World Consultant in April 2012 and now runs four groups in County Tyrone and County Londonderry.

“One of my goals when I became a Consultant was to encourage more men to feel comfortable walking through the doors to a group. I remember when I first attended my local group, I was one of the only men there. I think it’s easy for a lot of men to assume that Slimming World isn’t for them, that’s absolutely not the case though. Anyone and everyone are welcome at group and will be supported on their journey every step of the way. Being a Slimming World Consultant gives me the flexibility to plan my charity work around running my groups, and the friendships I’ve made over the years are priceless.”

Ivan was thrilled to receive the Daily Mirror UTV Pride of Britain award in September and was flown to London to attend the celebration ceremony. Since his win, Ivan has received recognition from his local mayor and has even been stopped in the street and congratulated.

Ivan was also recognised at the annual Slimming World Awards in Birmingham, where former athlete Colin Jackson congratulated him on his award and presented him with a special gift from Slimming World too.

On Ivan’s support for the charity, Cancer Research UK fundraising spokesperson for Northern Ireland, Stephen Farrell, said: “We’ve helped to double cancer survival in the UK in the last 50 years and that’s down to the generosity and commitment of supporters like Ivan. Through his passion, drive and determination, he has made an outstanding contribution to our life-saving research.

“Cancer Research UK is working towards a world where everybody can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. We want to say a heartfelt thank you to Ivan for the role he has played in supporting our vital mission.”