Richie's going to lose weight and get fit for charity

A local man is going public with his weight loss and fitness programme by collecting charity sponsorship and issuing social media updates on his progress at Hands-on Health in Victoria Road, Exmouth.

Richie Evans, 44, will begin a programme of TRX training and healthy eating, guided by members of the team at Hands-on Health, at the beginning of March. He plans to lose around

25% of his current 19½ stone, and is inviting people to sponsor him by the stone, to keep him motivated. All his sponsorship will go to Woodbury's Stallcombe House, a residential community for adults with learning disabilities - Hands-on Health's adopted charity.

"There's a cut-off point for everyone, and 2012 is the year for me, while I'm still a relatively young man, to sort out my weight and fitness before they spiral out of control. I want to be fit enough to do stuff with my kids, and continue with that as they, and I, get older. I'm also a huge supporter of those who help the local community, and this is a good way to raise Stallcombe House's profile locally."

From early in March, Richie will be issuing regular updates on Facebook, Twitter and the Hands-on Health blog page, as well as keeping a video diary: "With these incentives, I'll work that bit harder," he says.

Albie McMahon, partner at Hands-on Health, will be taking Richie through his TRX training, and nutritional therapist Lesley Harper will be advising him on his diet. Other members of the clinic's team will assist with therapies and classes as he progresses. In addition, the Stallcombe House farm will provide him with some of its fresh produce as a contribution to his healthy eating regime.

Richie's sponsorship forms are available at Hands-on Health, Stallcombe House, The Grapevine and other local outlets as well as on www.justgiving.com/richie-evans. Call Hands-onHealth on 01395 224207 for more information.