An inspirational lady from Llwyngwril set herself the ultimate weight loss goal whilst raising funds for charity.

As an incentive to lose weight Jill Perry pledge to put £5 in her collection tin for every pound that she lost. So far Jill has raised over £1,100 for the Wales Air Ambulance by losing an incredible nine stone!

Jill, 54, has been supported by the landlady, Jane Jenkins, staff and customers at her local pub. The Garthangharad pub has contributed to Jill’s fundraiser by placing collection tins for the Wales Air Ambulance on their bars.

The customers at the pub also sponsored her to lose her final two stone, to help Jill reach her target weight goal. She is currently 17lbs off her target weight of losing 10 stone and Jill has set herself the target end date of March 31 2022.

A delighted Jill said: “Since embarking on my weight loss adventure, I am happier, healthier, more confident and enjoying a nice lifestyle.  I participate in a vigorous and fun weekly exercise class, have joined a dog walking group and have an exercise bike in my living room which I enjoy using daily.  

"I am no longer afraid to participate in events that I may otherwise have found daunting and relish new challenges and adventures these days.   My food choices are more adventurous and I enjoy cooking meals from scratch even after the most hectic of days.  My fashion style and colour has become bolder - no longer black for me, and I am enjoying a new hairstyle and colour.  Not only am I seeing changes to my body shape and size but a much better level of fitness and improved posture.”

Wales Air Ambulance offers advanced critical care and is often described as a ‘Flying ED’. The on-board consultants and critical care practitioners are highly skilled and carry some of the most pioneering medical equipment in the world. They can deliver blood transfusions, administer anaesthesia, and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the incident, before flying the patient directly to specialist care.

Now operational 24/7, the Charity needs to raise £8 million every year to keep the helicopters flying.

Reflecting on the encouragement she has received throughout her weight loss fundraiser, Jill added: “The support I have received is unbelievable and it is this that has encouraged me to keep going during the difficult times with little or no weight loss. I am fully confident in my ability to maintain the weight loss and continue with my new healthy lifestyle once target has been achieved.”

Louise Courtnage, Wales Air Ambulance’s community fundraiser, said: “A huge congratulations to Jill for losing an amazing 9 stone. Jill not only set herself a target of losing weight, but she wanted to donate money to the Wales Air Ambulance for every pound that she lost.

"Jill has raised an incredible amount for our lifesaving Charity and should be immensely proud of herself. Thank you also to Jane Jenkins and everyone from The Garthangharad pub for being so supportive of Jill and encouraging her to reach her target, as well as raising funds towards Jill’s fundraiser. Donations like this one helps us be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.”

The Garthangharad pub, which has been raising funds for the Wales Air Ambulance since November 2020, held a Christmas quiz in aid of the lifesaving Charity. The pub will continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance Charity throughout 2022.

You can show your support to Jill by donating to her fundraiser through her Just Giving page ‘Weigh to go’.