‘Heavy gang ’weighs in for the big‘ slim-in’

Novemmber 1985

There’s nothing sinister about a new ‘ heavy gang’ which has just been set up in Bray.

For a group of local hefties have got together and pledge to each lose a stone in weight in a sponsored ‘slim-in’ in aid of a local charity.

Funds raised by the group’s crash diet will go towards the purchase of a new centre for the Open Door Groupf in Bray.

Organiser Joe Duggan, who himself aims to lose at least one stone, explained that they have already entered a Spartan regime in a bid to shed pounds.

‘Drink is completely out and we have al decided to stick to fairly severe diets. As well as that, a lot of us are going in for visits to local health clubs,’ he explained.

Over a dozen local people, many of them well known around the town, are taking part in the ‘slim-in’, and according to Joe, they are not at all shy about being labelled as ‘ heavies’.

Taking part are this year’s ‘Lord Mayor’ of Bray Danny Bohan, Holy Redeemer Parish Priest and recently appointed vicar general Fr John O’Connell, his parish colleague Fr Tony Deane, local fruit and vegetable shopkeepers Frank Darcy and Dick Magee, sign-painter Bruce Kiernan and Sr Denise.

Also taking part will be REdmond Walsh, Dave Jones, Pete Kavanagh, Mary Doyle, Angela and Carmel Duggan and Maureen Buckley.

The moment of truth will come on November 30 when the slimmers will get together for a final weigh-in at which everyone will know just how much they have lost - and won - for Open Door.

‘It’s all in a very good cause,’ said Joe. ‘ The Open Door group caters for handicapped people by providing them with a place where they can go during the day. The present centre has become very overcrowded in recent months and we badly need a new premises which we are currently in the process of looking for.’