Tuam charity weight-loss drive features on TV tonight

By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN TUAM'S charity weight loss drive, Operation Tuamsformation, will hit our TV screens this week when participants feature on the local campaign's inspiration show RTÉ's Operation Transformation. More than 50 volunteers have pledged to shed as many pounds as possible within eight weeks in an effort to raise funds for charities Pieta House, The Jack and Jill Foundation and Tuam Cancer Care. [private] A whopping combined 23 stone has been lost since the initiative began in the New Year and the Tuam spin on the popular TV programme sparked the interest of the Operation Transformation programme makers. A TV crew filmed in Tuam over the weekend and the results will be shown on this evening's (Wednesday) programme on RTÉ One at 8 pm. Staff from St Jarlath's Credit Union Tuam have also been inspired to get involved in the weight-loss fundraiser and they have begun their own in-house inititative with the proceeds also going to the three chosen charities. The volunteers were filmed getting some exercise at Tuam Stars' astro pitch and the cameras also caught up with some the credit union staff who are aiming to slim down for charity. The Tuam campaign has received huge support so far from dietiticians, personal trainers, gyms, beauty salons and boutiques. The group meet once a week for a weigh-in and support talk. The participants have until the end of February to achieve their weight loss goals and the person who loses the most weight can look forward to a complete makeover. [/private]