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Stark ultimatum for Dad: diet or face early death

Eve Dugdale
5/ 3/2008

WITH the weight of support he’s already been shown, Andy Goode is definitely ‘online’ for success.

After being diagnosed with diabetes and told he’d die within 10 years if he didn’t alter his lifestyle, 26 stone Andy Goode knew he had to do something.

Enlisting the help of best pals Darren Evans and James Small, the three colleagues at Wax Lyrical IT company in Hyde set up a website following the dad-of-two’s attempt to lose six stone in six months.

Within hours of the site’s launch on Monday, £500 was pledged in sponsorship.

"I’ve been trying to lose weight for ages. I’ve just been putting weight on since I started work about 13 years ago — sitting behind a desk for 13 years has done me no good," said Andy, of Marler Road, Hyde.

Friend Darren added: "We’re just really concerned about his weight. He’s a sound lad, we love him to bits and we don’t want him to die.

"So, as we work on websites we thought that would be a good thing to do."

The site, www.igoode.co.uk, includes a regular blog by Andy, 31, a messageboard, photo gallery and sponsorship section with all money going to Diabetes UK.

Andy said: "I’d only sent the link to people at my company but everyone has been forwarding it. My partner’s mum owns a pub in Barnsley and she’s got all the pub to sponsor me!"

Andy, 31, who was 29-and-a-half stone at his largest, has started walking to work and has set up a company five-a-side football group.

He added: "I think what did it for me is the doctor telling me I’d die in 10 years. I want to see my kids grow up.

"I want to go into a clothes shop and buy something without having to buy it on the internet."

Click here to see Andy's weight-loss diary so far ...