A WEIGHT loss leader has thanked her members after they got behind a scheme to donate to the nearby foodbank.

Jenna Howe, who runs the Slimming World group based at St John’s RC School and Sixth Form College, in Bishop Auckland, every Monday evening, decided to use the £30 she normally spends on Christmas cards to pay for food for those who need it most.

She asked her 100-plus members if they would like to join in and before she knew it they had collected up to 20 carrier bags worth of items for the food bank at Woodhouse Close Church, on Proudfoot Drive.

“I always spend about £30 on Christmas cards and they are only up for a week,” she said. “I used the money I would have spent at Aldi buying the most needed items like long life milk and pasta.

“You hear Christmas songs saying how it’s the most wonderful time of the year but it’s not for everyone.

“I am really proud of everyone for getting involved. It will make such a difference. Some of the members have been saying this is something we need to do throughout the year not just at Christmas.”

• Slimming World at St John’s RC School and Sixth Form College runs every Monday, at 5.30pm and 7.30pm.