When Riddlesden youngster Steven Wild embarked on an exercise programme it was the impetus for his family to also get fit.

The nine-year-old, who suffers from von Willebrand’s disease, a form of haemophilia, was referred through his consultant to the MEND programme (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition... Do It!), which empowers children and adults to become fitter, healthier and happier, and to reach or maintain a healthier weight.

MEND designs programmes and services offering long-term solutions to help people improve their health, fitness and self-esteem.

Steven’s father, Andrew, and mum, Andrea, had tried dieting before, but the couple put their recent slimming success down to the drive and determination to do it for their children. The couple also have a four-year-old son, Thomas.

“Andrea had already got it in her mind she wanted to go to Slimming World and I said we need to change for Steven,” recalls Andrew.

Six months since embarking on the programme, Steven has seen his BMI drop significantly. Inspired by his weight loss, Andrew and Andrea, who are both 32, have since followed suit, recently achieving the ‘Couple of the Year’ award at the Slimming World session they attend at St Aidan’s Church in Crossflatts.

Andrew says losing weight has been life-changing for their family. Instead of lounging around on a weekend, they go off on walks.

“And I walk to work every day. I do 20 to 30 miles a week walking to work – I didn’t used to walk to the shop before,” added Andrew. As a family, we have all changed our whole perception.”

The couple started putting on weight when they moved in together and started eating cheaper convenience meals.

“We ate anything that would go in the deep fat fryer!” said Andrew. “We don’t have a deep fat fryer now.”

Andrea said: “We still have the odd treat but the meals we do are a lot healthier the way we cook things.”

Instead of returning from school seeking sweets and chocolate, Steven and his brother favour fruit and the family cooks balanced meals.

Steven has proved a real inspiration to his parents in their slimming success. Since joining Slimming World in May last year, Andrew has dropped from a 40in waist to a 32/34 and Andrea has trimmed down from a size 22 to a 16.

Andrea’s starting weight was 16st 11lb. Her current weight is 13st 8lb and her target is 11st 11lbs. Andrew’s starting weight was 18st 9lb and he currently weighs 15st 2lb. His target weight is 13st.

Talking about the MEND programme, Andrea said: “We have taken it on board and we learned from it. We are so excited about the journey we are on.”