Mildenhall Slimming World consultant Donna Cooper set to mark her 30-year milestone
A Mildenhall slimming consultant who has helped thousands of people to lose weight over the decades is about to celebrate a milestone anniversary.
Donna Cooper, who runs Slimming World groups at St John’s Church, in St John’s Close, will mark 30 years as a consultant with a fund-raising ball next month.
In 1995, when Donna started as a consultant, her children were aged two, four and seven. Now, she has seven grandchildren, aged five to 21.
She said: “I can't believe it will be 30 years since a very nervous me was getting ready to run my very first group.
“There were no grandchildren, fewer wrinkles and no grey hair back then and I never dreamed I would still be running the Mildenhall groups all these years later.”
When Donna joined Slimming World as a member, having tried ‘everything else’ to lose weight, she was working night shifts in a garage.
“The group didn’t have a consultant and it was only a few weeks into my journey that someone said ‘you’d be good at it’,” she said. “Back then it was much more informal and within about two weeks I was in front of the group.
“I loved it from the start. I never set out for it to be something I would do for three decades. I still love every Wednesday. I still get excited when someone gets to their dream weight. I still get excited being able to help people.”
For many years Donna, 59, also ran groups in Brandon, Bury and Walsham-le-Willows, but now focuses on her Wednesday Mildenhall groups, which attract about 220 members a week.
She has planned a Pearl Anniversary Ball at The Bell Hotel, in Mildenhall, on June 6, which is the exact date she took on her first group in 1995.
“Lots of lovely colleagues, friends and family will be joining me to help mark this milestone and to raise funds for St Nicholas Hospice Care,” said Donna.
“The ball is a way to say thank you to all those who have played any part in my 30 years. Whether it is those superstars who have maintained their target weight for decades or the people who only joined last Wednesday, then I still feel so honoured that I get to play a part in helping people to feel better.”
A charity raffle, with nearly 30 prizes donated by local businesses, will boost the fund-raising total.
“We have achieved so much as a group and are recognised as a multi award-winning group which is not bad for Mildenhall,” said Donna.
“As a consultant I cannot believe I have set records for Slimming World not once but twice and it is a privilege to be classed as a 'senior consultant'.”
When Slimming World’s founder Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE died in February, Donna was invited to Derby Cathedral to say goodbye.
Meanwhile, Donna and her husband Mark have been invited to the annual Slimming World Oscars on June 14 in recognition of her 30th anniversary. She will now continue to be gifted tickets and accommodation each year she remains in her role.
A few ball tickets, costing £20 each, are available to buy at Donna’s groups, which take place on Wednesdays at 9.30am, 11am, 4pm, 5.30pm and 7pm.
