Lesley McCormack
CEO/Trustee
Lesley is the founding director of HOOP and the beating heart of the charity. Her passion to help people overcome problems with obesity was ignited in 2010 when she looked for much needed help for her youngest daughter Allie, who was struggling with her weight. Lesley was appalled at the lack of support for Allie and for herself as a parent. Wanting to help other parents and children to benefit from the resources and facilities that she was eventually able to secure for her daughter, who is now enjoying a healthy lifestyle at a normal weight, Lesley came up with the idea of HOOP. She worked hard to secure support from like-minded individuals and corporate contributors, establishing HOOP as a limited company by 2012 and registering the charity in February 2013. Today, she’s just as committed to HOOP and the adults and children it supports as she was in those early days. She not only has board and management oversight as the charity’s CEO and one of its trustees, she manages the growing team of volunteers and speaks to HOOP members in support groups, each and every day.
Professor Paul Gately
Director/Trustee
Paul was appointed as a Director in November 2014 and has been a Trustee since October 2013. The founder and driver of MoreLife, which delivers weight management and health improvement programmes, Paul’s mission is to raise awareness and inspire action that tackles the global problem of obesity. As an expert in physical activity and nutrition, he has the professional credibility to understand the complex needs of obesity; but it is his personal commitment to families and individuals that make him inspirational. Paul has contributed to the International Obesity Task Force / World Health Organisation’s report on childhood obesity, and continues to be a consultant to many government agencies, health organisations and corporations throughout the UK and internationally.
Sarah Le Brocq
Director/Trustee
One of the charity’s Ambassadors since 2013, Sarah was pleased to be asked to work on a more strategic level as a Director and Trustee from August 2016. Having worked with the NHS and the pharmaceutical industry for over 12 years, she brings this valuable experience and business acumen to the role. Struggling with weight issues for as long as she can remember, Sarah also knows what it’s like to be morbidly obese so can relate to lots of HOOP members and the everyday challenges they face. Many will recognise her from Sky Living’s TV programme ‘Fat: The Fight of my Life’ in 2013. She inspired so many people after appearing on the programme and through HOOP has continued to use her experiences to help others on similar journeys.
John Shorthouse
Director/Trustee
Commercial Director of an international engineering service company, John joined the charity’s board as a Director and Trustee in August 2016. He brings a wealth of experience in marketing and industrial management but also has an understanding of the difficulties people face when struggling with obesity having fought with weight issues himself. Drawing on these business skills and life experiences, John hopes to give HOOP a more commercial edge and to make a difference in the lives of the charity’s members across the UK.
Mark McCormack
Director/Trustee
Mark joined the board as Director/Trustee in August 2016. He brings with him a wealth of experience in project management and leadership, most recently within the Financial Services sector as a Project Manager for Lloyds Bank. A PRINCE2 certified practitioner and has over 30 years’ experience of working in IT within the private, public and charity sectors. Mark also has valuable insight into obesity problems having dealt with his own weight issues throughout his life and those of his family. The husband of our Founder and CEO, Lesley, he has been involved in the background since the charity was formed. He has seen first-hand how Lesley has put her heart and soul into developing the charity and supporting thousands of people. He is incredibly proud to be able to work alongside her and the team of directors and volunteers to help HOOP UK achieve its aims and goals.
Charlie Walduck
Ambassador
Charlie has battled with his weight and depression all his life. In 2003 his weight was in excess of 50 stones and, fearing for his life, a work colleague wrote to ITV’s This Morning programme. With the help of Dr Chris Steele MBE, Charlie lost over 35 stones without medication or surgery. He lost 20 stones in one year – a UK record and This Morning had its biggest viewer response in its entire history. Charlie continues to battle his weight and openly admits he still has spells of overeating – it was his honesty on screen that made him such a hit with viewers. Charlie has travelled the world telling his story and has appeared on numerous TV programmes. Charlie is a published author, radio presenter and writer.
Charlie is delighted to be involved with HOOP UK and hopes to use his experience to help others.
Lee Veasey
Ambassador
In 2010 Lee weighed over 34 stone. His life was in danger. He was lucky enough to be accepted on to the Sky TV programme, Obese: A Year to Save my Life. It was there that he met the amazing Jessie Pavelka and personal trainer Claire, who coached him throughout 12 months and taught him how to lose weight, keep fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle, losing 13.5 stone. Lee is a Founder of HOOP UK and works as an ambassador promoting well being and supporting others along their own personal journeys.
Dr Chris Steele MBE
Patron
Dr Chris is the resident doctor on ITV’s This Morning programme, having originally appeared on the very first show 24 years ago. He has now retired as a GP, but is doing lots of writing and loves educating people about medical matters. Qualifying as a doctor in 1968 he worked as a GP in South Manchester and became an international expert in smoking cessation and nicotine addiction. HOOP UK is proud to have him as their Patron.
Lynne Potter
Head of Support
Lynne is disabled, has issues with obesity and needed both knee and hip replacements. For surgeons to consider operating she was told her BMI needed to be reduced. For Lynne this meant finding a way to lose 7 stone whilst confined to a wheelchair and her bed. Having the support of Dr Chris and Charlie Walduck, she began to see a way forward and over 3 years ago was introduced to Lesley and to HOOP UK. She became an instant hit with us all. Lynne has now lost 7 ½ stone. She has had 1 knee replaced has begun walking short distances and even climbing stairs. She is our inspiration and we are proud that she agreed to become our Head of Support!
Beth
Social Media Angel – Twitter and Facebook
Beth is a married mother of 3 who has struggled with her weight since childhood. In 2012 she was a contributor on the programme Fat:The Fight of my Life. Through a combination of factors- including the programme and finding HOOP her life has completely changed. Despite still battling her weight her mindset is now completely different- ‘I’ve learnt you have to enjoy every step of the journey- life is too short not to’. Beth says it is a privilege to be part of such a fantastic group, full of you amazing people.
Simone
Social Media Angel – Twitter and Facebook
In her early thirties, Simone lives in South Wales with her husband and two young daughters. She’s struggled with obesity most of her adult life along with GAD (generalised anxiety disorder) and depression. She discovered HOOP in 2013 and as a support group member, found new friendships and the motivation to change. Since then, she’s lost around 4 stone and in January 2016, she joined the admin support team. Through the charity, she has accessed mental health first aid training, which has boosted her confidence in giving support to members. HOOP has been Simone’s lifeline and now she can enjoy paying back by sharing her personal experience, and by changing someone’s day by being there to listen and offer encouragement.
Volunteers
HOOP UK Admin Support
Our support groups are run by a dedicated team of 30 volunteers.
Our admin support team is made up of people from all walks of life, all of whom have valuable first-hand experience of childhood and adult obesity. They are our experts by experience and are committed to offering guidance and support to all of HOOP UK’s members.
Our volunteers are vital to HOOP UK and we are very proud to have such a great team helping us to help overcome obesity problems.