Sheffield slimming champion's sixth award

Jackie Hetherington, of Chapeltown, has helped hundreds of local residents reach a healthier weight and lifestyle since she joined her organisation as a leader 16 years ago, and has helped her members shed well over 700st in the last year alone.

Jackie, who runs four Weight Watchers groups a week, said she was thrilled and delighted by the award, which was presented to her at a recent meeting by her area manager.

“It was a complete surprise, I was really delighted,” said Jackie, aged 46.

The award, which celebrates exceptional support, is only presented once every two years to a select group of leaders across the country.

Jackie said: “I came as a member myself initially, and lost 57lbs.

“It completely changed my life and I’ve loved every minute of my work since the day I became a leader. It’s the best job ever, so rewarding and I love being able to inspire and help people to feel as good as I do now.

“I’m a completely different person to the one who came to her first meeting all those years ago. I’m more outgoing, more confident and much happier.”

And Jackie has now been selected to appear in the official Weight Watchers magazine, which will feature her own success story and involved her travelling to London to take part in a photoshoot.

“It’s such a privilege,” Jackie said.

“It’s a funny old story really.

“I was raised as the daughter of a farmer and worked as a butcher for years, so it was quite a lonely and isolated life, and then becoming a slimming leader has been such a big change.

“I stand up in front of people every week and coach and guide them. I’m so honoured to have been chosen to share my story.”