A Hebburn grandmother has completed a bucket list wing walk after losing 11 stone at Slimming World.

A Hebburn grandmother-of-two is celebrating soaring through the air at 1,000 ft following her 11 stone weight loss.

Alison Berry, 67, completed the challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK as she looked to celebrate the active lifestyle that she’s been able to lead as a result of her impressive body transformation.

The former dinner lady was in “poor health” when she first joined Slimming World, weighing 22st 1.5lbs at her heaviest and having a dress size of 34/36.

However, she managed to lose half of her weight in just 18 months.

Before she transformed her weight, Alison stated that she felt exhausted all the time and struggled with everyday tasks such as clipping her toenails.

Alison Berry, from Hebburn, has completed a 1,000ft wing walk after losing 11 stone in weight. | Other 3rd Party

placeholder image — Alison Berry, from Hebburn, has completed a 1,000ft wing walk after losing 11 stone in weight. | Other 3rd Party

‘I couldn’t see a way out of being overweight’

Alison decided to lose the weight to be a “fun nana” and improve her health after her daughter-in-law Abby showed her a story about a woman who’d lost weight with Slimming World, prompting her to join her local group.

Alison said: “I always dreamt of a life where I could do daring activities but I felt stuck. I couldn’t see a way out of being overweight and thought it was just how I was meant to be.

“I’m so grateful to Abby as that article changed everything. I joined my local group when I was 55, determined to be living a much happier and healthier life for when I reached my 60s.

A before and after of Alison’s weight loss. | Other 3rd Party

“I’m so pleased I made the decision to join my Slimming World group as it has allowed me to live this exciting life and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my fellow group members and consultant.

“People at Slimming World believed in me before I believed in myself, they’ve cheered me on every step of my journey and are always so supportive when I take on these daredevil challenges for charity.”

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Alison has set herself the challenge of completing bucket list challenges that she couldn't do before losing weight. | Other 3rd Party

‘Nothing can top the feeling of being free up in the sky’

Alison was hospitalised for three weeks in 2013 due to her kidneys failing due to her diverticulitis (a condition affecting the large intestine).

Doctors advised her to lose weight and she tried multiple diets but always found herself of putting the weight back on.

After losing half of her body weight, Alison says that she now has the energy to run around after her two grandchildren and walk her rescue dog, Mitch.

As well as completing her bucket list wing walk, she is embarking on a mission to tick off other bucket list activities that she’d have loved to complete in her youth, including abseiling out of a wind turbine, riding the UK’s longest zipwire and walking on fire.

Alison also raised money for Cancer Research UK through her wing walk. | Other 3rd Party

Alison added: “Slimming World isn’t just about changing the way you eat, it’s about becoming part of a group who help you to understand yourself and believe in yourself.

“Joining Slimming World at 55 and losing 11st has taught me that it’s never too late. And doing a wing walk at 67 is proof of that too.

“Nothing can top the feeling of being free up in the sky.”

You can view and donate to Alison’s JustGiving page for Cancer Search UK at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alisonberry-68d4564149aac7d02118d841.