A SPONSORED slimmer’s achievements have inspired another lady to set her own fitness goals in aid of leukemia research.

Readers will remember the challenge that Steph Jones-Giles, from Bude, set herself last year, when she embarked on a sponsored slim to raise money for heart disease research in her father’s memory.

Inspired by Steph’s success and wanting to do her part to raise money for vital Leukemia research, Dr Hadwen Trust (DHT) group member Melissa Roberts, also from Bude, hatched a grand challenge of her own.

Melissa told the Post: “My loving partner Lawrence lost his battle with Leukemia in 2014. It has been a very difficult time for me and for a long time I lacked both the energy and motivation to exercise or eat well.

“Encouraged by Steph I tentatively joined Fusion Fitness and Wellness Centre where the owner David Herman was welcoming and encouraging.

“When Steph suggested I attempt the Tamar Lakes Park Run I thought she must be mad! Steph is certainly persuasive and with family support I have pledged to complete the course on September 2, which is the day after Lawrence’s birthday.

“I am being sponsored and so I simply have to put the work in to achieve my goal.”

The Bude Dr Hadwen Trust (DHT) support group has committed to raising £2,000 this year to fund a specific piece of research into Leukemia using pioneering animal replacement techniques.