Albert losing weight for a worthy cause
ALBERT WILLOUGHBY is not the man he once was. Since June 20 last, the 70-year-old’s determination has seen him lose an incredible 3 stone 13 lbs. In the process, he has raised over €5,000 for a cause close to his heart.
At the big weigh-in at Christ Church Old School recently, a crowd of supporters gathered to watch him step onto the scales. His starting weight was 20 stone 10lbs, and he thanked all who helped him over the past few months.
‘First of all, you have to do it yourself,’ he said, adding that he did a lot of walking, and he watched what he ate. He said that Nicola Ryan and all at Slimming World were also a huge help.
He also set about raising funds for the Christ Church roof repair fund. ‘Christ Church means a lot to me and my family,’ he said. ‘Roof repairs are needed.’
He thanked all the businesses and individuals in Gorey, and outside of Gorey, who have been so generous with their support.
‘It’s been a whole new lease of life really,’ he said. ‘I go to aqua-aerobics in Courtown three times a week, and I walk three to four miles a day.’
‘I’ve cut out a lot of night-time eating, and chocolate,’ he added. ‘People have been so encouraging. People have been stopping me in the street saying they don’t know me.’
He added that people have taken sponsorship cards for him and brought them around different parishes. ‘ They have helped a lot,’ he said. ‘You wouldn’t do it all on your own. I thought I might raise around €1,000 so to raise over €5,000 was unbelievable. It will be a great help to the roof fund.’
He was delighted to go below 17 stone. ‘I’ve gone from a 44 waist to a 38,’ he said. ‘ The best thing I ever did was giving my clothes around the charity shops.’
He thanked his sister Anne Slator for all her help and encouragement, as well as Cecil Riddal.
Albert has now set himself the task of losing a further stone by June. He is looking for five sponsors of €100 each, one of whom has pledged already, and the money will only be paid if he reaches his target. He also hopes to support a cycle and walk which is being organised in March for the roof fund by James Tomkins.