Hi, my name is James Penketh.

I’m a full-time working dad, currently studying for my HNC, while also sharing my weight loss journey on social media in the hope of inspiring others.

After being rejected twice by the NHS for surgery, I’ve reached a point where I don’t want to keep getting my hopes up, but I also don’t want to give up on something that could genuinely change my life.

I’ve always worked hard for everything I have and I’ve never been someone who asks for help easily. Right now, I’m living at my mum’s house while saving for a mortgage so I can give my two little girls a place to call home. Unfortunately, between everyday life, providing for my children, and trying to save for a future, paying for surgery myself just isn’t realistic.

For most of my life, I’ve struggled badly with body dysmorphia. Even after losing 64kg (just over 10 stone) and completely changing my lifestyle by dieting and training, I still don’t feel comfortable in my own skin. There are moments with my daughters that I’ve missed out on because of it, something as simple as taking them swimming feels impossible because I can’t bring myself to take my top off in public.

It’s also stopped me from enjoying social events and fully living life with confidence.

One of my biggest goals is to step on stage one day and compete in a bodybuilding transformation show, not just for myself, but to prove that change is possible and inspire others who may feel stuck like I once did. But deep down, I still struggle with the confidence to do that.

Writing this is honestly difficult because asking for help is not something I’m proud of or comfortable doing, but I don’t know what else to do in my situation.

Any donation, no matter how small, would mean more to me than I can put into words.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any support you can give.

I truly appreciate it more than you know.