SLIMMERS are shedding pounds to raise pounds for the survivors of the Haiti earthquake.

Members of the Chaddesden and Spondon branches of Slimming World have been collecting cash for the Derby Telegraph's Give Water, Give Life campaign.

They have also donated old clothes which no longer fit to the Red Cross charity shop in Belper.

The Telegraph appeal, launched in November, has already raised more than £130,000 for the charity Aquabox, which sends water purification kits to help victims of natural disasters.

Run by the Rotary Club of Wirksworth, it has flown out more than 800 of the boxes, which also contain essential welfare items such as tools and cooking pots, to the devastated Caribbean country.

Slimming World group leader Judith Burnett said members were donating spare change at their weekly meetings.

She said: "When I saw all the pictures on the TV I thought we should do something. I put it to the group and they were all really enthusiastic and keen to help in any way they could.

"We will keep collecting change and hope to raise quite a bit."

Among those supporting the cause are Sharon Millett, who has lost four-and-a-half stone in 20 weeks, and Adam Phillips, who has lost four stone in 11 months.

The group meets at Chaddesden Park Social Club in Nottingham Road, on Wednesdays at 5.30pm and 7pm, and the Vernon Arms in Locko Road, Spondon, on Tuesdays at 4.30pm and 6pm.

More than 230,000 people were killed in the earthquake in Haiti on January 12. Millions more were left homeless.

Aquaboxes which have been shipped from Derbyshire to Haiti are playing a major role in the aid effort by helping remove deadly waterborne diseases including typhoid, dysentery and cholera.

Volunteers from Aquabox, a project of Rotary International, are now working round the clock to get a third batch ready to be sent to Haiti in the coming days.

Also helping the campaign are members of Beer Crate Productions who will be putting on a performance of Dick Whittington for the Give Water, Give Life appeal.

The show will take place at Church Broughton School from tomorrow to Saturday at 7.30pm. There will also be a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm.

Tickets are £6.50 for adults and £4.50 for concessions and children under 16. To book, call Louise on 01283 585213, Katie on 01283 585363 or the Holy Bush on 01283 585345.