A MUM-of-six is shedding unwanted pounds to raise £s for premature babies.

Sally Oakley, 36, from Altrincham, has vowed to lose seven stone in just 12 months in aid of the Neonatal Unit at Wythenshawe Hospital.

She embarked on the epic challenge to lose almost half of her body weight last week and launched a Facebook page ‘Sally’s Sponsored Slim – A Loss for a Gain’ so supporters can track her progress.

Sally, who works at Stamford Park Junior School, in Hale, said the support so far has been ‘amazing’, with £300 raised in a single day.

“I have struggled with my weight for many years and have yo-yo dieted for as long as I can remember. A couple of times when I was trying to lose weight and not succeeding I thought ‘I need a reason to do it, I need a cause’,” said Sally.

“It will push me and give me that pressure to succeed. It is not only for my own health but the little babies who need more support in the unit.”

And Sally knows that she can drop the weight. She has done it before.

Before falling pregnant with her youngest Oliver, now five, Sally lost an incredible five and a half stone, or 77 pounds.

She said that her kids, Jade, 16, Connor, 14, Peter, 12, Harry, 11, Grace, 9, and little Oliver are spurring her on – in more ways than one.

“I have been fortunate to have six wonderful children, all of which were born healthy, but not every parent has that experience. This is why I feel it is such a worthy cause,” said Sally.

“My children have been so supportive. My little girl Grace is like my sidekick and follows everything I’m doing, watching that I stay on track. They are 100 per cent behind me and so is my partner Dave.”

On Wednesday, June 15, Sally had her first weigh in at Cresta Court Slimming World group, coming in at 17 stone 4 ½ pounds.

Sally said: “I ended up in tears, I was so overwhelmed by everybody’s reaction and support. It all got to me. They are a lovely group and all got behind me.

“I disclosed my starting weight on my Facebook page, which was the hardest thing. I was a bit frightened about the reaction but there has been no negativity.”

Sally is also getting help from Tom Blay, a personal trainer from Reebok Crossfit 3D in Stretford. Tom is offering fitness advice for free and drawing up programs for Sally to complete at the gym and at home.

And old school friend, Nicola Brookes, from healthy eating company Glowing Goodness, is also lending a hand, offering nutritional advice.

“I am going to have to work hard, but I know I can do it, I just have to make sure I stick to it,” said Sally.

To make a donation visit justgiving.com/fundraising/alossforagain. To track Sally’s progress, visit facebook.com/ALossForAGain.