Women who have lost loved ones have pledged to lose weight in a bid to help families who are bereaved.

Three women from Wharfedale hope to shed a total of ten stone in a sponsored slim for Winston’s Wish, a charity which helps grieving children at times of loss.

The challenge has been set by Abigail Kent, of Otley, who lost her 28-year-old sister Gemma Rooley, a mum of two, to cancer in 2009.

Taking part is Gemma’s aunt, Lynette Hodge, who plans to lose four stone in five months. She will be joined by Rawdon hairdresser and mum Amanda Warrington, whose husband committed suicide on Otley Chevin, and Lyssa Palmer, who hopes to lose two stone.

The three have all had individual slimming plans drawn up for free by the Menston branch of Sureslim.

Lynette said she was thrilled to be helping raise funds for the charity which was very close to her heart. “As a 57-year-old who has struggled with my weight for most of my life, I feel now, as a grandmother of nine, that it’s time I really took that step and with the help of Sureslim, the diet will be so much easier.

“It will help me to improve my life whilst raising the funds to allow Winston’s Wish to help others who need their help and support.”

Abigail has raised around £15,000 for Winston’s Wish, which also helped her through her father’s death last year. The mum’s achievements include competing in the Great North Run and walking the Great Wall of China.

She said: “The three women have volunteered not only because they are committed to losing weight but because each of them has in some way witnessed the work carried out by the charity.”