From fat to fit in nine months

by Ron Burnett
(October 2007)

Lee Craze - looking good after losing seven and a half stone

A man from Chesham has combined an incredible feat of weight loss with fundraising for a local charity.

Lee Craze, 43, of Chesham Road in Ashley Green, has lost an amazing seven-and-a-half stone since January and become something of a fitness fanatic after he decided his new year's resolution would be to get in shape
Explaining the drastic change, Mr. Craze said: "I had been very fat for a very long time
"I was 43 years old and I was 23 stone and I wanted to change that.
"I started on January I - it was a new year's resolution really. I go to the gym nearly every day and I do a lot of cycling. It's become almost an obsession really."
Mr. Craze has not used any shortcuts to achieve his weight loss and said: "Basically anybody can do it.
"It's not hard. I have done it without stomach stapling or any medical things like that."

Father-of-three Mr. Craze manufactures and sells fashion clothing with his company Fresh Air.
He decided to put his new-found fitness to good use by doing a charity bike ride and, on September 15, he completed the 55-mile ride from Marble Arch in London to Brighton Pier in aid of the Hospice of St Francis.
The charity provides care for terminally ill patients both at the hospice, which is in Berkhamsted and through home care nurses in the local area including Chesham and Amersham.

Mr. Craze has so far raised over £4,000 from sponsorship for his bike ride, but he thinks the final figure will be nearer £7,000 when he collects all the money
He decided on that particular charity after he had personal experience of the work they do
He said "We live near to it in Ashley Green and a friend of mine had been ill and actually died there the week 1 did the bike ride”

Harriet Karia, community fundraising manager at the hospice said "This is a phenomenal effort and so inspirational to everyone. Lee told me 'I'm 43 years old and life is too short. No one should have any excuses - they should just get on and do it'.
"It costs £6,000 per day to fund our care, so Lee's contribution is invaluable”

Not content with his efforts so far. Mr. Craze is now in training for his next project the London Marathon on April 13. 200X when he will again be raising money for the hospice.
'No one should have any excuses -they should just get on and do it'

Before: Lee when he weighed 23 stone