THE daughter of a man who died at Bury Hospice is hoping to shed pounds to raise pounds in his memory.

Jill Lee’s dad, Edmund Kershaw, of Limefield Brow, Walmersley, died in the hospice in February in 2009.

He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He was 86.

Mrs Lee, aged 51, who lives in Heaton, Bolton, said: “My dad would be thrilled to bits that I am raising money for the hospice.

“We really had to persuade him to go there in the beginning, but when he had been once he loved it.

“The care he got there was brilliant. The staff were marvellous and they helped us all along the way. It is an absolutely fantastic place.”

Mrs Lee started a sponsored slim three weeks ago. Her goal is to lose at least a stone in three months, although to lose three stones is the ultimate aim.

She plans to eat much healthier, do lots of dog walking and has signed up with Slimming World.

She will also be working hard not to over-indulge in her biggest weakness — alcohol.

Mrs Lee, a mother of two, said: “I need to slim and I thought it would be a nice gesture if I decided to do it as a sponsored slim.

“I have tried to lose weight before but I have no willpower and just give up.

“It’s not good for my health and I’m diabetic, so I definitely need to lose weight.

“I hope raising money will give me a real focus not to cheat.

“It’s never easy to lose weight.

“The hardest part for me is trying to give up alcohol.

“I’m being very diligent about it, but it is difficult when I go out and everyone else is drinking!”

To sponsor Mrs Lee, contact her on 01204 496488.