The incredible shrinking man!
Reporter: Marina Berry
Date published: 10 August 2010
CLINT Murfitt shed a great weight from his mind when he made the decision to Shrink4Pink.
Eighteen months ago, the 46-year-old Littlemoor man topped the scales at 18-stone 4lbs, eyed himself in the mirror, and thought: “Clint, you fat dog.”
That moment paved the way for him to lose a massive 51lbs, and rake in £452 for Link4Pink — the charity which supports Oldham’s Victoria Breast Care Unit.
The turning point in his life came in December, 2008, and it took determined Clint, of Talbot Close, until the following April to lose half a stone.
“I felt that I was struggling and decided to join WeightWatchers but needed to have an added challenge,” said the father-of-two grown-up children. His goal was to lose 50lbs in six months for charity, and he decided on a cancer-related charity because it was close to his heart.
“My mother had died from a form of cancer and friends of my wife and myself had also been diagnosed with the disease,” he said.
His wife Caroline’s close friend, Rita Bottomley, chairs the Link4Pink appeal, and she was thrilled when she was asked to be his mentor.
“Some people had already lost weight for the appeal and so I embarked on my personal Shrink4 Pink,” said Clint.
The super-slimmer got the backing of fellow WeightWatchers, who supported him as he battled with the scales, and boosted his sponsorship fund.
He hit his goal in April, weighing in at 14 stone, 9lbs — a total of 51lbs under his starting weight.
“I was so pleased, but better still I had managed to raise £452 for the charity and this will be increased to well over £500 when gift aid is claimed,” said the triumphant slimmer.
Clint has now shifted his goal weight to 12st 7lbs adding: “My family are so pleased with my success, and I would like to thank everyone who sponsored me and helped me get through it.”
