CLARETS commercial director Anthony Fairclough is weighing in big time in aid of Pendleside Hospice.

Anthony and six members of the commercial team are hoping to raise a minimum £10,000 in the Pennine 10k on June 28.

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Money raised is to go to the Gail Simpson Memorial Fund for the hospice. And in his quest to be superfit on the day Anthony, 39, has already lost an incredible two stones in eight weeks.

At the start of training Anthony’s 6ft 2in frame weighed in at 18.2 stones but by race day he hopes to be approaching the start line at a sprightly 15 stones.

He said: “It’s taken a lot of discipline and I’m down to one pizza a month!

“Generally I’ve been cutting out the rubbish and taking protein shakes, salads, and grilled chicken.

“While I go to the gym three times a week I am only just starting running outside so that will help me lose the other stone.”

The rest of the Super Seven are commercial executive Jez Minihan, media manager Darren Bentley, commercial operations manager Carl Sanderson, marketing manager Nick Taylor, commercial executive Dale Robins-Bailey, and commercial assistant Chloe Simpson. In charge of the team’s diet and fitness is personal trainer Jamie Kennedy, of The Fitness Experience, Manchester Road, Burnley.

Anthony said: “Jamie has been remarkable. He and the other trainers are so good at motivating you, they have literally changed the way I live for the better”

The team is also being backed by My Protein, the Clarets nutritional partner.

Gail Simpson, was a keen Clarets fan and family friend of Anthony and his wife Emma. She died last November aged 61 after battling ovarian cancer for 12 months.

Anyone who would like to sponsor the team should ring 01282 700007 or visit www.justgiving.com/bfc10k410k/