Slimming World staff celebrate record-breaking year of donations to Cancer Research UK shops
Slimming World Head Office staff have collected a record-breaking 2,529 bags full of pre-loved fashion for Cancer Research UK raising more than £3 million.
As part of The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw, staff at the Derbyshire-based office donated bags full of clothes, shoes and accessories to help support the charity’s live-saving research.
The annual event sees Slimming World group members, Consultants and employees, across the UK and Ireland, donate items – including things they’ve slimmed out of – to Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society.
Marie Gregory, who works as a Planning Manager within the Stock and Distribution team, was crowned Slimming World’s Head Office Employee of the Year 2024 at the company’s annual in-house awards ceremony. Marie was nominated by colleagues who described her as inspiring and motivational.
Marie, 44, who lives with her partner Dave in Chesterfield, and has worked at Slimming World for 14 years, says: “I look forward to the Clothes Throw each year. I love to see the warehouse turn purple with all of the charity donation bags! I’m always blown away by the enthusiasm and commitment from my colleagues – they really pull it out of the bag each year.
We love to get involved with raising money for Cancer Research UK, and the Clothes Throw gives us the perfect opportunity to have a clear out at home while raising vital funds and awareness of the charity.
Slimming World’s Deputy Marketing Manager Clare Lee says: “The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw just gets bigger and better! We’re delighted to see members and Consultants getting stuck in each year.
“Over the years, Slimming World has raised more than £25m million for Cancer Research UK through a variety of campaigns, including supporting the Race for Life event series.
“We hope that through our continued partnership with the charity, we’ll not only raise an incredible amount to support vital research, but we’ll also help raise awareness that maintaining a healthy weight reduces people’s risk of developing 13 types of cancer and other health conditions.”
Every year, around 28,800 people are diagnosed with cancer in the East Midlands.* Eve Mitchell, Associate Director, Supporter Relationship Management, at Cancer Research UK, paid tribute to Slimming Word employees for their commitment to the cause.
She said: “In the last 50 years alone, our work has helped double cancer survival in the UK. But there’s so much more to do. Our vision is a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer and step by step, day by day, our researchers are making this a reality thanks to the dedication of our supporters and partners, like Slimming World. We hope they’re proud of the difference they’re making.”
Notes to Editors
* Based on the average annual number of new cases of all cancers combined excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (ICD10 C00-C97 excluding C44) diagnosed in the East Midlands Region of England in 2018, 2019 and 2021. Source: ONS, Cancer registration statistics, 2018, England, Accessed February 2024. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/cancer-registration-statistics-england-2018-final-release
NHS Digital, Cancer registration statistics, 2019 and 2021, England, Accessed February 2024. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics
Slimming World, founded by Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE in Derbyshire in 1969, is the UK and Ireland’s leading weight loss organisation. Each week, more people choose to attend a Slimming World group than any other weight loss programme. Our tried, tested and trusted evidence-based approach has helped millions of people to lose weight and keep it off long-term. We support 700,000 people weekly through our community weight-loss groups, run by 3,500 highly trained self-employed Consultants, and digital service.
Our founding principles make us unique:
• Our support system is built on a deep understanding of the guilt and stigma people living with overweight and obesity experience. We always treat people with genuine care, empathy, respect and understanding. When members join Slimming World, they become part of a community, in group and online, and each week we inspire and motivate people to make positive mindset changes and develop new, lasting healthy habits around food and activity using effective, sustainable behaviour change techniques.
• Our healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, liberates members through our concept of Free Food. Members fill up on foods that are naturally lower in energy density (calories per gram) and are highly satisfying while limiting foods that are highest in fat and sugar and are less satisfying. They can lose weight without ever feeling hungry or deprived, all without weighing, measuring or counting everything they eat.
• Our physical activity support programme, Body Magic, helps members overcome any barriers they face regarding exercise. Members choose when and how to start, setting their own pace and finding activities they enjoy until regular physical activity becomes an unmissable part of their daily routine.
We proudly work with the NHS, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, The Royal College of Midwives, Diabetes UK and others to help shape the future of weight management in the UK and Ireland. We also support Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society through fundraising.
We developed and launched our Slimming World Free Food range, available exclusively in Iceland, The Food Warehouse and Dunnes Stores in Ireland, and introduced our Slimming World Kitchen recipe box service. These help members to continue making healthy choices, even when they’re short on time.
For more information about Slimming World’s approach, visit slimmingworld.co.uk or slimmingworld.ie and for more information about Slimming World Kitchen, visit slimmingworldkitchen.co.uk
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For media enquiries, visit our newsroom or email public.relations@slimmingworld.co.uk
About Cancer Research UK
· Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence and information.
· Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives.
· Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival in the UK double in the last 50 years.
· Today, 2 in 4 people survive their cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK wants to accelerate progress and see 3 in 4 people surviving their cancer by 2034.
· Cancer Research UK supports research into the prevention and treatment of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
· Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK is working towards a world where people can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org.