A North East super slimmer who has lost a staggering 14 stones is getting set to jet off on the trip of a lifetime, thanks to Newcastle Pride and Manchester Airport.

Competition winner Deb Kelly with Press-Office Manager Seb Thompson (left) and Patrick-Alexander, Head of Marketing from Manchester Airport

Deb Kelly, 54, from Gateshead, has gone from being a 23 stones couch potato to an extreme runner, who now takes part in intense sporting challenges.

Deb Kelly before weight loss
Deb Kelly before weight loss

And now she intends to put her passion to the test around the streets of San Francisco, after scooping first prize in a fundraising draw for leading LGBT festival Newcastle Pride.

Newcastle Pride 2017, sponsored by business improvement district NE1, teamed up with this year’s main stage sponsor, Manchester Airport, to provide the coveted prize to the airport’s newest destination.

And the trip – which includes two return direct flights to the popular Californian city and £1000 worth of accommodation vouchers – will allow Deb to find a new fitness challenge following her huge weight loss.

The occupational health advisor, who has worked full time as a nurse since 1981, began her weight loss journey back in 2013 when her friend – who also introduced her to Newcastle Pride – challenged her to do the Great North Run, which she completed in four hours.

Following the Great North Run, Deb continued to exercise regularly and in December 2014, made the life-changing decision to have a gastric bypass.

Since then, Deb, who is mother to Adam Kelly, 30 and grandma to Lily, five, has lost over half of her body weight and describes the weight loss as the “best thing she has ever done.”

And now, she will get to showcase her hard work to the streets of San Francisco, as she sees at first hand sites including The Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the famous Lombard Street; the crooked street which has appeared in numerous movies.

“I couldn’t believe it when I found out I’d won. It came as a huge shock but I’m already looking forward to getting on that aeroplane – especially knowing that I no longer need to use a seatbelt extender,” Deb said.

“I’m a keen runner, so I’m looking to find a run to do while I’m there, as I’m determined to bag myself a San Fran running medal.

“The trip will be the perfect way to mark my weight loss and I’ll certainly be celebrating my win at this year’s Pride.”

She laughed: “And funnily enough, since winning, I now appear to have a huge list of best friends.”

Patrick Alexander, Manchester Airport’s Head of Marketing, said: “We are delighted that Deb has won our prize to San Francisco and hope she has an amazing time out there.

“San Francisco is a great destination which is now served direct by two airlines at Manchester Airport, making the West Coast of America much more accessible for the people of the North East.”

Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, which organises Newcastle Pride, said: “I was overjoyed to tell Deb the news about San Francisco, it’s such a brilliant prize and she’s a well-deserving winner.

“We’re extremely lucky to have such great support from our main stage sponsor Manchester Airport and the San Francisco raffle helped us raise a lot of money which will help us keep Newcastle Pride free for all, on what’s set to be our biggest year yet.”

The popular festival, which attracted more than 73,000 visitors and contributed more than £10.4m to the economy in 2016, is returning with its largest ever line up on the 21 to 23 July weekend at Newcastle Town Moor.

Full listings for all of this year’s satellite events and the official Newcastle Pride weekend can be found by visiting www.northern-pride.com or by searching northernprideuk on Facebook and Twitter.

The festival itself is free to attend, however a number of Gold Circle and VIP tickets are available for those who want to guarantee prime viewing spots for the performances on July 22 and 23.

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