Employees at Russell Roof Tiles are shedding the pounds to raise money for local causes.

While many of us begin to indulge in the lead-up to Christmas, participating members of staff at the roof tile manufacturer are taking part in a sponsored challenge to lose 30% of their body weight by 14 December.

Russell Roof Tiles held another charity weight loss challenge back in 2015, and says it hopes to replicate the success it achieved then.

The funds raised will go towards Russell’s Community Fund, a communal pot of donations that is shared out to a number of local charities and groups.

Some of these organisations include Cheshire Blood Bikes, which transports emergency blood samples, and Mona C Allotments, which donates vegetables, fruit and fresh to low-income families, food banks and pensioners.

The company has raised £78,000 for a variety of charities since 2015, through events such as Strictly Come Dancing style dance competitions, golf tournaments and quiz nights.

Managing Director Andrew Hayward said: “Although the end of the year is nearly here, our fundraising efforts are far from slowing down.

“We decided that a charity weight loss would be the perfect team challenge to not only support worthy, local causes but also stay healthy in the run up to Christmas.”