‘The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw’ is an annual fundraising campaign where Slimming World members who have lost weight donate the clothes, shoes and accessories they no longer need to their local Cancer Research UK shops. Taking place over two weeks in May each year, the campaign aims to raise awareness of the links between losing weight and reducing the risk of developing some types of cancer.
Now in its third year, this has been the most successful Big Slimming World Clothes Throw yet, with more than 80,000 bags donated – an 11% rise on 2015 and a 113% rise on 2014. The most successful area in 2016 was the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire district, where groups raised £97,759 with a phenomenal 3864 bags.
With each bag collected worth around £25, the Clothes Throw campaign has now raised £5.8m since it launched in 2013.
Slimming World and Cancer Research UK are in the fourth year of their partnership, after Slimming World’s 900,000 members and 4,500 local Consultants voted for Cancer Research UK to benefit from their fundraising activities through the organisation’s own charitable foundation, ‘SMILES’ (Slimmers Making It a Little Easier for Someone). Since they started working together in January 2013, Slimming World has raised more than £6.5million in all its fundraising efforts for Cancer Research UK’s live-saving work.
Slimming World’s Marketing Co-ordinator, Johanna Mather, manages the national fundraising drive. She says: “We’re absolutely delighted to have broken the £2 million barrier this year. Not only is the Clothes Throw a perfect opportunity for Slimming World members to celebrate their slimming success and the fact they’ll never need their ‘before’ clothes again, it is also vital to spread the message that keeping a healthy weight could reduce the risk of developing 10 different types of cancer – raising awareness of this fact is a key aim of the partnership overall.
“We’re determined to do everything we can to help people lead healthier lives by making long-term, healthy lifestyle changes and becoming more active and we’re spreading the word that support is available in local communities across the UK and Ireland.
“And we’re all hugely committed to supporting the work of Cancer Research UK to help beat cancer sooner. Having such a dedicated and engaged group of members and Consultants makes it all so much easier to achieve.”
Zoe Dean, Corporate Partnerships Manager at Cancer Research UK, says: “We’re really grateful to all the Slimming World members across the UK who have cleared out their cupboards and generously donated the clothes they no longer need. The partnership raises vital funds for life-saving research, as well as helping to increase awareness of the link between obesity and cancer. The Big Slimming World Clothes Throw has once again been a huge success and we are very grateful for Slimming World’s continued support.”
Last year, the partnership between Slimming World and Cancer Research UK was awarded ‘Best Partnership’ at the Business Charity Awards in London. The awards are run by charity publication Third Sector and recognise the contribution made by UK companies to charities and social enterprises.