Slimming World Consultant & Biddulph resident Laura Bounford has proven she's weight-loss royalty after winning a Sapphire Award for her work in helping people in the area to slim down and improve their health.

Laura, who runs Biddulph's local Thursday & Friday Slimming World groups at Wellspring Church in Congleton, was thrilled to receive the award for inspiring dozens of people in the local area to slim down.

The accolade sees Laura, who lost 6st 11lb with Slimming World herself, become a Sapphire Consultant. The award was created in 2014 to celebrate Slimming World's 45th anniversary and is given to all Consultants in the UK and Ireland who welcome 45 new members to their group over a two-week period.

Laura says: "More than two-thirds of the adult population are overweight in the UK, with the National average standing at 63.5% of adults that are so severely overweight that they're putting their health at risk. Cheshire East is above the national average at 68.3% and our Staffordshire Moorlands area is currently even higher, at 68.8%.

"Sadly 21% of children are struggling with their weight too. As a child who struggled with her weight I know how that feels, these are not just statistics, they are real people with real feelings and I'm determined to help anyone out there who wants to make a change. The effects of carrying excess weight can be devastating to ones physical & mental health, and people deserve to know that there is help and support available if they want to take control.

"Lots of people want to lose weight but they often don't know how, just like me before I discovered Slimming World myself as a member back in August 2012. Often, when someone comes along to my group they tell me that they've tried losing weight before and it hasn't worked so they feel like failures. I reassure them that it isn't them who failed but the programme/s they followed, usually because the diet was too strict or because they didn't get the right support & guidance with the behaviours and psychological side of losing weight. This leaves people thinking that they can't do it – that they'll never succeed with any diet – but members in our Wellspring Church groups have lost 333st 7.5lb since January alone."

"I'm so proud to have achieved this award. This year Slimming World's celebrating 53 years of helping people to lose weight and keep it off, although obviously I haven't been a Consultant for all of that time – I opened my first group on 31st July 2013, 9 years now! It's this experience, the latest research and behaviour change expertise and the wonderful training that all Consultants receive through the SW Academy which makes the organisation so enormously successful. I'm confident that Slimming World really is the best and healthiest way to lose weight and keep it off, and all of my members – including these 45 new members – will be healthier and happier thanks to Slimming World."

Laura first joined Slimming World as a member herself back in August 2012.

She continued: "We all want to feel happy in our own skin, to feel more confident and be healthier too - and with Slimming World you really do get the full package of support to guarantee every members individual success. In-fact, we are so confident it works for everyone, that we offer a 4-week money-back guarantee. As one of our valued members, If you don't lose weight taking part in the full package that research shows guarantee's your success, then we will give you your money back. This was something vital to me when I started my own weight loss journey, as I was unemployed. This couldn't be more relevant today, with the cost-of-living crisis we are supporting each other through. I didn't believe I could lose weight, and when money is tight, it's so important to have that reassurance & I'm so glad I took advantage of that all those years ago - and I'm even more pleased that I get to let others reading this know it's open to them too.

Laura added: "After years of failed dieting attempts my confidence was rock bottom before I discovered my local Slimming World Group. It really did save my life. Even after losing weight so well, my confidence was still very low and I didn't believe in myself at all. My Consultant at the time, along with my fellow slimmers in group believed in me, and encouraged me to go along to the local opportunity events that Slimming World hold each month to find out more about what being a consultant entails. I was terrified, and wouldn't go alone so dragged my best friend along for morale support. Long story short, I ended up having an interview the very next day and wow, what a whirl-wind it's been ever since and I wouldn't change it for the world, it's an incredible ride I'm lucky enough to still be on. I couldn't imagine my life without Slimming World. I love my groups and I'm so proud of every single one of my members because I really do understand the courage it takes to make that first step into group. It changed my life, and I've had the privilege and honour of welcoming hundreds of local men & women across my 9 year career now, and I'm so thankful that I've been able to play even the smallest part in their own personal journey."

If you'd like to sparkle and shine like Sapphire Consultant Laura and her members and you'd like to take advantage of Slimming Worlds 53 years experience in the field of weight management, psychology in slimming as well as their unique activity programme 'Body Magic' then Laura's groups are the place to be.

For more information contact Laura on 07595 535 816.