Piling on the pounds convinced regional fleet manager Vince Hannon, 55, of Mount Pleasant Road in Luton that something had to go.
The former football referee and Leicester Arms landlord gave up fast food, alcohol – ”All the usual pleasures” – and concentrated on a radical change in diet coupled with a rigorous fitness regime.
In the process he lost four stone and raised more than £5,000 in a series of charity challenges.
His first was a triathlon last year in aid of a trio of good causes – Keech Hospice Care, Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation. The grand finale came in August with a 120-mile cycle for Help for Heroes.
In between there were two more triathlons and a brace of London-to-Brighton bike rides.
Vince said: “I set myself a goal, to complete five events in 12 months. Managing that gave me a massive sense of achievement.
“Then a colleague nearly lost his son-in-law in Afghanistan. He survived, but both legs were amputated. I decided to cycle from Luton to Norwich and I’ve raised £950 so far.”
> To sponsor Vince visit bmycharity.com/vincehannonBedsRAFA