Slimming World staff member completes 2025 London Marathon for good cause
A member of staff at Slimming World’s Head Office, based in Alfreton, Derbyshire, has completed the 2025 London Marathon in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Ben Newth ran as part of the 14-strong team, made up of Slimming World members, Consultants and Head Office staff. The runners raised an incredible £42,000 for Cancer Research UK, the Irish Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK, Slimming World’s official charity partners.
By running the marathon, Ben aimed to raise awareness of how healthy eating and moving more can protect our physical and brain health. According to Alzheimer’s Research UK’s ‘Think Brain Health’ campaign, being active is one of several ways people can help protect brain health and reduce their risk of dementia in later life.
Creative Video Director Ben, 53, from Nottingham, says: “The London Marathon is an event like no other and I feel privileged to have been able to represent Slimming World this year and raise money for Alzheimer's Research UK.
Dementia is one of the leading causes of death in the UK . The condition can be devastating and it has personally impacted my family. To have had the opportunity to raise money and awareness of such a good cause has meant a great deal to me.
This is the third time Ben has taken on the iconic marathon. He commented: “There’s something remarkable about running the world-renowned London Marathon, but this year felt extra special. My fellow teammates have lost more than an astounding 81st (514kg) between them.
“Hearing about their weight-loss journeys, and how in some cases, they’d never exercised before, but were now training for the marathon, was truly inspirational. It makes me so proud to be part of an organisation that really does change people’s lives.”
Ben joined Slimming World in 2022 and has taken part in a number of fundraising initiatives over the years to raise money for the organisation’s charity partners. He says: “From quizzes and race nights to book sales, we’re always looking for new and exciting ways at Head Office to have fun and raise money. The amount of support my colleagues have shown me in the run up to the marathon has been staggering.
“It’s been a delight to have been a part of this year’s team of inspirational runners and I’m so proud of us all for crossing the finish line – especially on such a hot day!”
Paul Glazier, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Ben and the Slimming World team for going the distance to support Alzheimer’s Research UK at the 2025 London Marathon. Taking on 26.2 miles is no small feat, and Ben’s commitment to reach the finish line and his fundraising goal is truly inspiring.
“If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia – either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. Research is our only chance to change this. And thanks to people like Ben, and the Slimming World community, we are stepping closer to a cure.”
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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About Alzheimer's Research UK:
• Alzheimer’s Research UK is the UK’s leading dementia research charity.
• Our vision is a world free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.
• We fund life-changing research, influence government and policy-makers, and provide information for people affected by dementia.
• Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure for dementia, by revolutionising the way we treat, diagnose and prevent the condition.
• Since the charity was founded in 1992 we have invested more than £237m in dementia research, helping fuel drug discovery, improve diagnostics and further our understanding of the genetics of the condition.
• Last year we invested more than £34m in our charitable activities, including over £27m in research.
• You can support Alzheimer’s Research UK by donating, fundraising, volunteering and campaigning. To find out more about the charity and how you can help visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org or call 0300 111 5555.
• Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.