Rushden and Wollaston slimming experts win community impact award for helping local people lose 1,678st in a year

Leanne Onderka and Donna Dean, who run the Rushden and Wollaston Slimming World groups at Rushden & Higham Rugby Club, The Masonic Hall and Wollaston School every week, were presented with the award at a celebration day at the company’s Derbyshire head office.

Together they have helped 165 of their members to reach their target weights, a goal each member chooses for themselves, over the past year, with many more close to doing the same.

They are hugely proud of the difference they make within their local community.

Donna said: “Attending this event is an achievement for everyone in our groups – they’ve reached for the stars with their weight losses.

"Over the past year alone, our members have shed an incredible total of 1,678st and drastically improved their health.”

Both Leanne and Donna have also achieved Slimming World’s Gold Award. The win acknowledges them for running some of the best weight loss groups across the UK and Ireland.

They achieved this thanks to the number of people they support each week, the level of service they provide and the weight loss results they empower their members to achieve.

Donna and Leanne and other high achieving weight loss experts were greeted on the day by some of the company’s directors and given a behind-the-scenes tour of head office and heard about developments happening within the business to further improve the organisation’s support to them and their members.

Leanne said: “It was an absolute honour to be invited to the Slimming World head office for this celebration day.

“It was so special meeting other consultants like us who are working across the UK and Ireland to support people to lose weight and improve their health.

"Hearing all of the amazing milestones we’d helped members to achieve was staggering and I felt so moved knowing me and my members are a part of it.”

Donna and Leanne both reached their target weight with Slimming World before becoming self-employed consultants.

They said: “It’s so special running our own Slimming World groups and supporting our members with their weight loss.

"Seeing them reach each milestone and celebrating with them is the most incredible feeling.

"We truly believe we have the best, most rewarding role in the world and this award makes it even more special.”

Leanne and Donna welcome anyone wanting to lose weight to their groups – including anyone taking weight loss injections – for support to build healthy habits and keep the weight off long-term.

They said: “When it comes to feeling unhappy with your weight, we really have been there too so we completely get how tempting it can be to turn to solutions like weight loss injections that might appear easier and promise to be a quick fix.

"Sadly, there’s no magic spell for losing weight and, most importantly, keeping it off long-term. It requires real change to build lasting healthy habits around food, drink and activity and to address the deeper mindset shifts that are needed to support your weight loss long-term.

"That’s why we are seeing people who are taking weight loss drugs join Slimming World groups to get support that will help them maintain their weight loss long after the medication stops.”

Leanne’s Slimming World groups are held at:

- Rushden & Higham Rugby Club, Manor Park, Rushden

Tuesday 5.30pm and 7pm

Wednesday 7.30am, 9am, 4pm, 5.30pm and 7pm

- Wollaston School (in the library), Irchester Road, Wollaston

Thursday 5.30pm and 7pm

Donna’s Slimming World groups are held at:

- The Masonic Hall, Wellingborough Road, Rushden

Thursday 9.30am and 11am

Friday 7.30am, 9am and 10.30am

Saturday 7am, 8.30am and 10.30am

For further information contact Leanne on 07739 744045 or Donna on 07736 546580.

Slimming World is currently looking for people who want to inspire others to achieve their weight loss goals and lead a healthier life as a self-employed Slimming World consultant.

For more information visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk/become-a-consultant