Glossop pub landlord sheds pounds for pounds

A pub landlord has traded his usual cask ale for orange juice in his journey to get fitter and raise funds.

During the first national lockdown, Anthony Parker (pictured), the landlord at the Commercial Inn in Glossop, found himself drinking alone in the empty pub. 

Soon realising he was gaining weight as well as missing out on quality family time, Anthony decided to make a change. His original goal was to refrain from alcohol for a month, which he successfully accomplished, but with a taste of achievement came bigger goals. 

When the second national lockdown was announced, he decided to set himself a momentous target. On his journey to become physically and mentally fitter, Anthony decided to raise money for local food banks while shedding the weight. 

To help him on his weight-loss journey, Anthony bought a treadmill, rowing machine and some weights.

Setting an original target of £500, the money was to be distributed to four food banks in Glossop, Whitfield, Gamesley and Hadfield.

The original target has now been smashed and through his JustGiving page and independent donations he has raised £700.

Anthony has decided to disperse £600 across the four food banks and also donate £100 to HAPPE - Hadfield and Padfield People’s Entertainment. The charity supports the community and is set to provide gifts for underprivileged children with the money.

During his journey, Anthony regularly uploaded video blogs on his Facebook page in which he documented his progress.

Anthony said he received a huge support from his Facebook videos, with many ‘private messages from people who were stuck in a rut with their mental and physical health.’ 

He said: “People have told me how encouraging it is to watch somebody else do what they would like to do. It shows others that it can be done.”

Now Anthony has gone from ‘drinking 10 pints a day to walking 10 miles a day’. 

He recently completed the 10 mile walk around Derwent reservoir and is proud to see how far he has come. 

He has teamed up with two friends, Daniel Sidebottom and Mark Smith and the trio are encouraging each other to continue. They have set a goal of climbing Mount Snowdon next summer and are looking to once again raise money for the local food banks.