A BUSINESSMAN who went public with his diet lost five stone and raised more than £2,000 for disabled children.

Mike Harrington Spier, 62, let friends and family in on his weight-loss plans, fearing he might not go through with it.

He started in January and with the help of Slimmers World and a personal trainer, he has dropped from 22 stone 4lbs (141kg) to 17 stone 4lbs (109kg).

Mr Harrington Spier, of Castle Hedingham, is a member of Halstead Rotary Club and wanted money from people who sponsored him to go to charity.

The Play and Resource Centre (Parc), Great Notley, will use the money for a washable sofa, made for children with special needs.

Mr Harrington Spier said: “When I was muttering last Christmas about having a new year’s resolution and losing this weight, somebody said to me I should get sponsorship.

“Diets are usually quite private. I thought if I went public, I couldn’t do it. Going public was a good way of upping the ante on doing it.”

He said losing the weight had made his joints more supple and given him more energy.

Donations came to £1,742.50, and with gift aid, the total was £2,125.85.

Georgina Rhymes, of Parc said: “It has been quite as struggle for him, but it will be lovely for the children.”

The sofa will go in the respite centre’s new building.