Fall at first hurdle

Jan 11 2007 By Hayley Beattie, The Journal

David Banks is under starters orders in his race to lose weight in honour of inspirational teenager Josie Grove.

But the 58-year-old Journal columnist got off to less than perfect start yesterday when he went for his first official weigh-in.

The official scales at Newcastle Racecourse were chosen for the monumental occasion.

But as they are normally intended for the lithe, athletic bodies of jockeys the scales weigh up to no more than 17 stone (110kg) - and the 6ft 5ins tall, former editor of the Daily Mirror soon realised they were not up to yesterday's job.

David has weighed himself on his bathroom scales at 23 stone (148kg), but wasn't able to get an official weight from the racecourse yesterday.

He said: "It was a bit of a disastrous start.

"Although it was a bit embarrassing it was also quite funny, we just hadn't thought of the fact that it's normally tiny jockeys using these things."

But the small set back has not deterred David from his goal of losing six stone.

In the three weeks he has been losing weight to help raise money for The Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund he has already lost one stone, but said the real race starts now.

He said: "You always lose a lot of weight in the first few weeks when you start a diet because you are losing fluids.

"I don't want to con the readers so I am calling this the start of my weight loss. The race really starts now." And instead of putting himself on yet another fad-diet David, of Crookham, near Berwick, Northumberland, is setting off on what he calls a "new regime for life", involving eating smaller portions of healthier food.

With the help of his former-PE-teacher wife, Gemma, he is also introducing more exercise into his life.

David's daily menu will now include porridge for breakfast, a larger meal for lunch such as steak and roast vegetables and a light tea such as soup or salad, with plenty of water and fruit throughout the day.

David, who is in remission from leukaemia, was stirred into action after being "shamed" by Josie's courage and said last night she would be the difference between him failing and succeeding.

"I have done so many diets in the past and have always ended up putting what I lost back on, but this time it's different because Josie is going to keep me going," he said. "I have given myself a good head start but this is when it is going to get tough."

David urged as many people as possible to back his campaign or to set off on their own fundraising fitness idea.

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Raising money for Josie

The Journal is urging readers to get behind our bid to raise money for Josie's fund.

Sixteen-year-old Josie, of Princes Street, Corbridge, Northumberland, has decided to forego further treatment for leukaemia - after two failed bone marrow transplants - to spend the time she has left with her family.

Money raised will go to the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund, to help other children with the disease.

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 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 fund.

We are urging our readers to come up with fundraising ideas.

Please 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.

Thanks to generous Journal readers our Josie Grove appeal total has now topped the £4,000 mark. Since launching our campaign three weeks ago, readers have sent in £4,037 in donations and sponsorship for Journal columnist David Banks, who is doing a sponsored slim for the Josie Grove Leukaemia Fund. Those who sent in donations yesterday were:

* Norma Patterson, North Shields £10;
* J N Thompson, Bamburgh, Northumberland £100;
* Mr R T & Mrs M Morris £10;
* C Stobbart, Newcastle £15;
* Anon £50;
* J Marshall, Tweedmouth, Berwick £10;
* Mr P Lockley £10.