Forty-seven-year-old Hugh Barnett now runs for the Mansfield Triathlon club as part of an ongoing fitness campaign, which has seen him reduce his weight from 26 stone to 20 stone since 2006.

Now Hugh will line up alongside his daughter Gemma on Sunday to take part in the 18-mile bike ride across Nottinghamshire before running the Experian Robin Hood Half Marathon in September.

'Motivation'

And Hugh is encouraging other people of his age and size to take up exercise and says that being overweight should not be a barrier to a healthy lifestyle.

"I was very big and unhealthy but I found the motivation to do something about it," he told Chad.

"I would like to show by my own example that being overweight does not need to be a barrier to a fit, active and healthy lifestyle."

And while Hugh is urging others to start exercising, on Sunday he will also be raising money for children's charity When You Wish Upon a Star.

• To sponsor Hugh on his bike ride visit www.justgiving.com/hughbarnett1.


• For information on the Great Notts Bike Ride visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/bikeride.

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