ANDOVER Foodbank has received £1,000 after a slimmer dropped the pounds in the run up to her son’s wedding.

Anti-litter campaigner Manuela Wahnon’s target weight was 11 stone, and by the end she had reached 10st 13 pounds, losing a total of 24 pounds over the last two months.

Manuela presented the foodbank, based next to the Catholic church in Alexandra Road, with the money.

She said she reached her target goal through a combination of gym trips and cutting out sweet treats, and celebrated with a large Eccles cake at the weekend.

Manuela said: “It wasn’t easy but the support I got from so many people was amazing.

“Without help from the leisure centre I just couldn’t have done it.

“I’ve learnt a lot about nutrition, the machines at the gym tell you how many calories you’ve burned and I was amazed that I had sweat pouring off me and it said I’d only done 100 calories.

“I thought to myself, ‘is that it?’ It makes you realise how much exercise you have to do to just burn off a piece of cake.”

Annie Mihell, secretary, and Jenny LeLean, volunteer manager, from the foodbank were delighted to receive the cheque.

Annie said: “The money will help us to make a difference to local people.

“We will be using it to help fund our Christmas activities: gift boxes for children and the Christmas food that we give out with every box during December.

“Although we receive generous donations for these projects we have to pay for space in which to work and incur costs for additional items.

“We are very grateful for Manuela’s effort and for those who generously supported her.”

Among the generous donors and supporters who attended the cheque presentation were Kevin Paterson from Valley Leisure, Christine Mellor of David Mellor’s, Alison Poernig of Dunnings Funeral Services, Cllr Ian Carr and Cllr David Drew.

Also present were Richard Belle of andovertown.co.uk and Peter Driver, a local artist who produced a placard for Manuela.