I lost 7.5 stone! Help me slim for Sound Vision

Sound Vision is the charity I started in 2017. Five years ago, I set out to lose 10 stone because I needed to. My personal journey of health recovery is coming to a life-changing critical point just as the charity is growing to match demand across the UK.

Sound Vision empowers individuals and communities through personal development, education, creativity and communications. Through training, we offer solutions to a lack of opportunities, loneliness, isolation, and regional disparity. Our skills-based learning programmes are inclusive, supporting neurodiversity, learning disabilities, mental health challenges, those vulnerable to exclusion or criminal justice and those seeking employment.

In 2011, I was diagnosed with lymphedema. Having defective lymph glands contributed to why I had always struggled with maintaining a healthy body weight. By now I was overworking and not paying enough attention to my health. I don’t remember when I stopped playing tennis, running upstairs or walking up mountains. But one day, I realised that it had been years. I wasn’t just overweight... I was dangerously obese. I began to realise that there was no point in dedicating a life to helping others if I wasn’t going to be around to see it through. With medical advice and the incredible support of my family, friends and fantastic team I declared my intention to lose ten stone.

Four years later, I am close to achieving my goal. I have successfully lost seven and a half stone! It has been a tough and at times uneven progress. The last two and a half stone are proving an even more formidable challenge.

To spur me over the finishing line, I am raising funds for the charity that has been my central focus for the last four years, and that encompasses my values and drive to make positive social change.

Building self-belief is central to our approach. As I embarked on my health recovery journey, I realised I needed to develop an inner belief that I could really do this that went way deeper than my professional confidence.

Please consider sponsoring me, as your support will not only help to encourage me but also help others with their personal development and opportunities to fulfil their potential. No donation is too large or too small. It all makes a fantastic difference. Thank you so much!

Sound Vision is the working name for the Somer Valley Education Trust CIO.