Members of a slimming club have raised £600 for a children’s hospice by losing almost 46lbs or 21kg.

The four women from a Slimming World group, based at Buckhurst Hill Community Association in Westbury Road, shed the weight in six weeks and raised funds for Haven House Children’s Hospice in High Road, Woodford Green.

Elaine Eade lost almost 18lbs, Kate Underwood shed almost 12lbs, Brenda Quirk is nearly 9lbs lighter and Teresa Moody was 8lbs heavier when she began.

Group leader Kim Sapsford said: “Losing weight is always a hard thing to do and it is very brave to make that commitment to others in order to raise money for such a worthwhile local cause.

“I am so proud of all my members for their weight loss which in six weeks amounted to 354lbs or 157kg.