A TOWN mayor has taken it upon himself to make a difference by joining a weight loss programme to improve health and to raise money for charity.

Cllr Dave Webster, Ulverston town mayor, has joined Slimming World in a bid to lose weight and raise funds for the Mayor’s Charity.

Mr Webster, has signed up with the weight management organisation for 12 weeks and hopes to raise as much money as possible for charities in Ulverston.

He said: “I have joined slimming world to manage my weight better and it is a good idea for my Mayor’s Charity.

“With being mayor of Ulverston, which is an honour, you tend to have a lot of ‘on-the-go’ meals like pie and peas throughout the year.

“This is because you are always going to difference places and it is difficult to find time to cook meals.

“I want to manage my diet better and raise money for the Mayor’s Charity Appeal in the process.”

Mr Webster has set a target of how much weight he would like to lose and hopes people can support him in the process.

“I lost eight pounds in the first week, which I could not believe,” he said.

“Since joining I have felt a lot better in myself and I am looking at a target to lose five-and-a-half stone for myself and around two-and-a-half for charity.”

The Mayor’s Charity Appeal is a registered organisation which is set up to help support the Mayor’s chosen charity each year.

Mr Webster will then donate all the money raised to any organisation that is a good charitable cause in Ulverston.

People who would like to donate money can pick up sponsorship forms from the Ulverston town council office or contact Mr Webster directly.

“I would like as many people as possible to donate to help me raise money for charity.

“The money has to be collected by the end of April and all donations will be put back into the town.”

Slimming World has four groups throughout the week at Croftlands Community Centre. The groups in total last year lost a staggering 904st.