GREAT-GRAN Joan Hamer struggled to walk two years ago. Now she has lost four stone and says it has given her back her life.
Joan, 68, was so grateful to her slimming leader Karen Shepherd for helping her lose the weight, she praised her in a letter.
It read: "I was barely able to climb the stairs for the first slimmers' meeting, but thanks to her encouragement, gentle humour and support I was able to lose 56lb.
"I feel she has given me my life back. I walk every day and the stairs up to the meeting are no longer an obstacle.
"She is my angel and has given me back my freedom and independence."
When Joan, of Devon Street, Darwen, started the classes in Hoddlesden, she weighed 15st 4lb and suffered from arthritis in both legs. She easily got tired doing the housework, while walking was not even an option.
But one year after starting at slimming classes, she had lost four stone and reached her target weight of 11st 4lb.
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