From bags to riches… slimmers donate clothes that no longer fit

So confident are they that they’ll never need their larger sizes again, slimmers in Mullingar have raised €2,850 by donating the clothes they’ve successfully slimmed out of to the Irish Cancer Society.

The Mullingar Slimming World groups run by Caroline Toal and John Quinn collected 95 bags of clothes, shoes, homeware and accessories as part of the Slimming World Clothes Throw.

The bags are being donated to local Irish Cancer Society shops as part of the national fundraising campaign.

The Slimming World Clothes Throw aims to raise awareness of how keeping a healthy weight can reduce the risk of developing some types of cancer.

Each of the filled bags is worth around €30 to the charity, and this year’s campaign is aiming to beat the total raised in 2022.

In the last eight years, Slimming World groups around Ireland have raised €673,000 and members are hoping to reach the €700,000 milestone in 2023.

Caroline and John run Slimming World groups at the Mullingar Park Hotel. John said: “I can’t quite believe how many bags we managed to collect, I knew our members were amazing but I didn’t expect such an incredible level of effort.

“Seeing members donate their too-big clothes is just the cherry on top for me as a consultant. What I find so special is seeing members transform before my eyes as they lose weight. Many go from shy, apprehensive individuals who join with their confidence at rock bottom. They don’t believe they could ever lose the weight they dream of losing.

“When I look them in the eye and tell them they can be the size they want to be – whatever that is – and that I believe in them, things start to change.”

Caroline said that at group meetings, members learn to remove feelings of guilt concerning food, and instead feel empowered by all the ‘Free Food’ they can enjoy on Slimming World’s healthy eating plan Food Optimising.

Through Food Optimising, they learn to change the way they think about food by making changes to the way they shop, cook and eat, and they lose weight without feeling like they have to restrict a thing or go hungry.

“Members also make friends in group, they celebrate success together and they are there for one another through the more challenging times too,” said Caroline.

“As the weight drops off and the energy levels soar, many of them become more active too – walking, swimming, playing with the kids – there’s no stopping them! They shed the shackles of their former selves – including the clothes they’ll never fit in again.

“So many people don’t know how much of a difference losing weight can make to health – including reducing the risk of developing a range of problems including some types of cancer.

“Hopefully this campaign and our efforts for charity will help inspire more people in Mullingar to improve their health and change their lives by losing weight too.

“John and I are so proud of our members and their efforts. They really put their heart into everything they do, whether it’s their weight loss, supporting each other each week or raising money for charity – they continually blow me away.”