A rugby prop forward who weighs 21 stone has started a sponsored slim to raise money for needy children in Kenya.

Nick Thomas, 32, is shunning bacon rolls and pasties in favour of cereals and salads in an effort to lose at least three stone.

The money he raises through sponsorship will go to the East African charity Children of Watamu. Nick’s boss visited a school run by the charity to install some computers and found that the children just had stones and chalk boards to write with – no desks or even chairs at that time.

“It was very upsetting to hear of their conditions, so I did a sponsored swim last year and I am trying to do this sponsored slim this year to raise more money for them,” said Nick, from Twydall.

“Colleagues at work and friends at Medway Rugby Club are being very supportive and generously putting their hands in their pockets.”

Nick, an assistant terminal manager at Chatham Docks, said his wife Kerry is backing him all the way and has even locked the sweet cupboard so he can’t raid it.

“Some days are harder than others but I have already lost 8lbs and am quite determined to come down to 18 stone during my six-month slim,” added Nick.

uE06E To sponsor Nick, email nickthomas@hotmail.com