Last year six stone shed in six weeks and €6,000 raised for Western Care after five friends made good on a bet in a pub
Westport’s Biggest Loser returns with a bang
Neill O’Neillneilloneill@mayonews.ieLAST year saw six stone shed in six weeks and six thousand euros raised for Western Care after five friends made good on a bet wagered in the pub, thus beginning Westport’s Biggest Loser. However, from tomorrow (Ash Wednesday) Westport’s Biggest Loser returns for 2013, and promises, literally, to be bigger, better and more organised than ever.
With 12 volunteer contestants – each wanting to prove something to themselves – vying for the crown this year, and the duration of Lent to prove their mettle and willingness to make good their notions of abstinence, the second coming of the event also promises to provide plenty of laughter, and perhaps tears, along the way.
The concept is simple, people weigh in at the beginning of Lent, and weigh out at the end, and whoever has recorded the biggest drop on the scales over the six weeks will be declared victorious. However, the real winner will be Western Care, who are again the charity that will benefit from the toil and torment of the determined dozen.
Three of last year’s contestants will each be ‘mentoring’ a group of four participants, trying to help them along the way, particularly as they push out the pain barrier to try and meet the demands of personal trainer George Forde, who has volunteered his expertise once again to help out with some physical training.
The hugely successful ‘Charity Cycleathon’ which took place on Bridge Street last year is again planned for Easter Saturday on March 30, while Easter Sunday will again see the contest come to a close and the winner crowned, with a gala night in The Jester Bar in Westport. If last year’s wrap party was anything to go by, this promises to be a night not to be missed, though this does not apply to the faint-hearted! Also, following on from last year’s mini-documentary on Westport’s Biggest Loser, videographer Brian Durcan is busy planning how and where he is going to capture the essence of this year’s event in all its glory, for what promises to be a no holes barred video premiere in The Jester on Easter Sunday, like no other this year!
The lucky 12 going head to head for the next six weeks comprises of three ladies and nine men, from right across the region, and while there is some rivalry already flaring within workplaces and between neighbouring towns and villages, all are apprehensive about what lies ahead.
Kevin Kelly from Westport was automatically re-entered into this year’s event by virtue of being the overall loser of last year’s biggest loser. He is joined in Michael Killeen’s group by three other well-known Manchester United fans; Tony Bree, Ger McGreal and Martin ‘Sparky’ Halpin.
Brendan Mulroy is keeping it close to home by mentoring his wife Shirley, Leanne Mathastein, Emma Cawley and local hackney operator and card shark Kenneth Conway, while this writer will attempt to coordinate a mixture of family, clergy, colleagues and friends in Conor O’Neill, Fr Charlie McDonnell, Edwin McGreal and John ‘Dixie Duffy.
The other contestant from last year, and proprietor of Biggest Loser base camp (The Jester)Kenneth Lavelle, hasn’t yet recovered from an injury he sustained walking down the aisle at his wedding last November, so he is unable to participate, but will be running a book on the event - the proceeds of which will also go to Western Care.
Each contestant has sponsorship cards in circulation, while online donations can also now be made through www.donate.ie (search for Westport Greatest Loser 2013), or follow the link on the event’s Facebook page - Westports biggest loser 2013 – where regular updates on the event and contestants are also given.
“It’s crazy how this developed and grew and grew out of nowhere last year,” said flame-haired campaign veteran Kevin Kelly, “but there was fun had and friendships made along the way and in raising money for Western Care we were all very happy to have taken part.
“Many people know first hand the great work Western Care do in our community and this is about recognising that and giving something back, while changing our existing lifestyle habits and living healthy for a while. We are all delighted to do so, but in saying that, if I don’t beat Tony Bree in this I’ll wear a Liverpool jersey every time they play Man Utd next season.”
According to an Anfield source, Tony Bree could not be reached for comment on this revelation.
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