SLIMMER Kelly Sellick has fulfilled a long-held ambition after losing 7st 3.5lb in the last 17 months.

The Tonedale woman ran and power-walked the Race for Life Cancer Research UK fundraiser in Taunton in July.

“This was a massive achievement for me, as I would never have been able to do that over a year ago,” she said.

Kelly, 28, who attends, a Slimming World group at Wellington Rugby Club, said she joined up after realising her weight was putting her health at risk.

Her weight had affected both her pregnancies as she was classed high risk due to a morbidly obese BMI.

Kelly added: “Since I lost weight I enjoy playing with my children, going on family walks/bike rides. I can run around with them – mainly race against my son – and enjoy the glorious weather without becoming out of breath, red in the face and tired.

“I can now buy and wear clothes I would never have pictured myself in and stroll along with confidence and a smile. It gives me a boost when I have comments that ‘I am like a new woman’ or ‘I didn’t even realise that was you’! It’s been life-changing in this last year!”