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Sport and Leisure

Catering manager sheds 12 stone for epic one-day London to Paris cycle challenge

After losing nearly half his body
weight in an epic weight loss battle,
self-confessed fast-food junkie
Adam Blanchard has put his new
trim physique to the ultimate test.
The 28-year-old Great Western
Hospital catering manager has shed
12 stone or four times the easyJet
luggage allowance.
And he has built on this
achievement by pedalling 271 miles
– the distance between London and
Paris – on a static bike as part of a
gruelling endurance challenge for GWH catering manager Adam
Brighter Futures. Undergoing the Blanchard, left, took part in a 271
gruelling challenge in the entrance mile cycling challenge to raise money
for Brighter Futures.
of Great Western Hospital, Adam Pictured above, Adam before he lost
was joined on his 12-hour slog by an impressive 12-stone in weight.
friends and colleagues wishing to
show their support. “As catering manager, I’m around His new lifestyle is a far cry from to know that having a fully-fledged
Money raised on the day was food all the time but I’ve changed the bad habits of old which saw radiotherapy centre in Swindon
towards helping Brighter Futures my outlook now and plan all my most days start with a cooked will make a difference to thousands
which has recently reached the meals in advance. breakfast in the GWH restaurant of local people. I’m proud that I
halfway milestone towards its “My weight-loss journey started followed by hours at a desk before can now offer my support to the
£2.9 million target needed to fund two years ago and it’s seen returning home to the sofa. Radiotherapy Appeal and I hope
specialist equipment required me complete my first ever half If cycling the equivalent of London others will be inspired by my story
at the heart of Swindon’s first marathon last autumn – something to Paris wasn’t enough, Adam is also to act as well.”
radiotherapy unit. my former 28-stone-self would in the middle of a strict training Since launching in 2015, more
Adam said: “At 28 stone, I decided never had dreamt was possible.” regime in preparation for his first than £1.4 million has so far been
enough was enough and that it was Adam’s new addiction to fitness London Marathon in April. raised to help bring lifesaving
time to turn my life around. I said sees him put on his running trainers He said: “It’s still surreal to think cancer care to Swindon.
goodbye to Pizza Mondays, Fish- three times a week to tackle that my body is now capable of Anyone wishing to fundraise for
and-chip Fridays and all the other courses of varying lengths, with the taking part in these iconic events, Brighter Futures can find out how
days in between that were spent remaining days of the week filled which do so much good for others. by visiting the website at
eating junk food and not exercising. with trips to the gym. “You don’t need to work at GWH www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk

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