Why Brian needs a bit of heavy editing
Jan 9 2007 By Liz Hands Health Correspondent, The Journal
Journal editor Brian Aitken today starts his own sponsored slim in aid of our Josie Grove appeal.
Following in the footsteps of Journal columnist David Banks, Brian is aiming to shed pounds to raise pounds for the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund.
Josie, 16, of Princes Street, Corbridge, Northumberland, has decided to forego further leukaemia treatment after two unsuccessful bone marrow transplants, in order to spend the time she has left with her family.
Her story moved David to tears.
The 58-year-old is in remission from leukaemia himself, having undergone two bone marrow transplants, the second successful.
After reading about Josie's plight, David vowed to make the most of the second and started a sponsored slim three weeks ago - sparking The Journal's fundraising campaign for Josie.
Now Brian has decided to follow David's example.
"I've taken my inspiration from what David Banks has offered to do," said Brian yesterday.
"Josie is such a courageous character and we want to do what we can to encourage everyone in the North-East to do something in her name and to rise to the obesity challenge by leading a healthier lifestyle in aid of Josie.
"If I'm going to encourage people to do that, then as the editor of The Journal I really have to lead by example."
Brian was given an advice session by health and fitness workers from North Tyneside Primary Care Trust, who came to the office to weigh and measure him, before embarking on his diet.
He has been given the target of losing three stone, after weighing in at 15st 8lbs.
Brian blamed his weight gain on work commitments.
"I've put on a few pounds because of the business lunches and functions I attend," he said. "I've known for some time I need to make changes to my lifestyle. This is the opportunity to tie me down to something I can't get out of."
Brian is 5ft 10ins, weighs 15st 8lbs and has a body mass index, which measures body fat, of 31. That means Brian is officially rated as obese.
He said: "I am astounded that I have to lose some weight before I can be called `overweight'. That BMI rating is a real spur for me to change my lifestyle for the better. I hope that many more people follow my lead." He is aiming to get sponsorship from the North-East business community for every stone that he loses.
Susan Hunter, health and fitness facilitator, who advised Brian on losing weight - along with public health nurse Alvic Alon, said: "It's all about making little changes. It's about doing small things like if you normally have semi-skimmed milk, change to skimmed, if you usually take the lift, take the stairs." She also advised Brian to find an activity, like cycling or walking, that the whole family could enjoy.
The Journal is asking readers to either sponsor David Banks or to raise money by organising their own health or fitness-related event. Money raised will go to children's leukaemia charities chosen by Josie and her family.
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Help and advice at hand
The health advisers who carried out Brian's fitness assessment are employed as part of a scheme run by primary care trusts in the region.
They work on a one-to-one basis with patients - offering information, practical support and motivation to help them make the behaviour and lifestyle changes they wish. They particularly target people who have been referred by their GP or health professional because they have or are in danger of developing a long-term medical condition such as diabetes or heart disease. They give advice on how to quit smoking, exercise, diet and how small changes in your lifestyle can make a big difference.
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Concert will boost the fund
Rotary club members are holding a concert in aid of the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund.
Club member Bill Weightman said: "We had already organised the concert and were looking for a charity to benefit from it when we read about Josie in The Journal. Her story was so moving and she lives in Corbridge, where the concert is being held, so we thought it was appropriate money raised should go to her fund."
The concert takes place on January 20 at 7.15pm at Corbridge Parish Hall. Tickets cost £10 and are available on (01434) 606632.
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You can back the Josie Grove appeal
The Journal is urging readers to get behind our bid to raise money for Josie's fund. So far, generous readers have given £3,412 in donations and sponsorship for our columnist David Banks, who started a sponsored slim three weeks ago.
There are two ways you can do your bit to help:
Anyone wishing to sponsor our columnist David Banks in his effort to shed the pounds in aid of the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund should fill in the form, printed here, and return it to The Journal, saying how much money you are pledging.
OR:
Let us know what fitness-related fundraising method you have come up with yourself to raise cash for The Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund.
We are urging our readers to come up with fundraising ideas - it could be a sponsored swim, a sponsored football match or even a sponsored bungee jump.
Contact The Journal newsdesk with information of any events - solo or team - you have arranged to help boost the fund.
Sponsorship forms are available by email or post from The Journal.
Anyone wishing to get involved should contact the newsdesk on (0191) 201-6344 or email jnl.newdesk@ncjmedia.co.uk
You may send cheques payable to The Dove Trust (registered charity 287401) - Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund written on the back - to The Journal, PO Box 1146, Newcastle, NE99 1ET.
