A SUPERMARKET worker who has lost four stone by exercising and eating healthier puts her weight loss success down to taking part in Race for Life events.

Kelly Duncan, who works as a HR advisor for Tesco at Oakwood Distribution Centre in Westhoughton, had not exercised for two years because of an injury before taking part in her first Race for Life three years ago.

She found the event a struggle, and was inspired to become more fit and healthy.

Since then she has lost four stone and is a shadow of her former self.

Kelly, aged 33, from Smithills, said: "I hadn’t been to the gym for more than two years so I knew I was out of shape, but I didn’t realise how unfit I really was. On the day, the finishing line felt like a million miles away, but with the spirit of the day and the energy of the crowd behind me, I kept going.

"It wasn’t just that I was unhealthy and unfit; I didn’t have any confidence in myself. Not being happy with your body can have such a big impact on how you feel.

"So I joined the local gym, and changed my diet. To date, I’ve lost over four stone."

As well as being a catalyst for change, Race for Life has also become a way for Kelly to pay tribute to four Tesco colleagues that she sadly lost to cancer.

She said: "We lost many colleagues in such a short space of time and we had to do something to reflect their courage and their battle.

"Taking part in Race for Life and raising money is our way of remembering our lovely colleagues and we feel we are doing our part in the fight against cancer."

Not satisfied with just walking the Race for Life this year, Kelly and her friends have signed up for a Pretty Muddy 5k at Heaton Park in July.

More than 600 people recently took part in the Race for Life event at Leverhulme Park last month in memory of loved ones and to raise money for Cancer Research UK.