MAYOR of Worcester Coun Jabba Riaz has embarked on a bid to shed the pounds in an emotional quest to become a kidney donor for his young daughter.
The caring Cathedral councillor has begun the 12 week weight loss challenge alongside his wife Sajeeda Begum as they attempt to reach the ideal weights to be considered as donors for their beloved daughter Zoya.
Both have been identified as possible matches for the brave little girl who was diagnosed with Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome, a kidney condition, last January.
The couple were inspired to act following the care given to Zoya who was admitted to the children’s renal unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital where she spent the next five months in constant care, before being discharged to outpatient appointments three times a week.
She is now in need of a transplant and doctors at Birmingham Children’s Hospital have set the couple target weights to reach before any procedure will be carried out and Coun Riaz admits embarking on the quest during his year as Mayor will be a tough proposition.
“As Mayor of Worcester you are invited to so many events where there is often food laid on so I will have to discipline myself while still representing the City of Worcester in the manner this wonderful city deserves,” he told the Observer.
“I cannot think of a better need to lose weight than to become a donor for my little girl and she will be in my mind throughout the next 12 weeks as I team up with the guys at Fit3Sixty in the city centre who have devised a training progamme for me to follow.”
“My thanks to owner John Clarke and my coach Will Jordan for their help and support, let’s see where the next three months takes me!
“If anyone else is considering losing a few pounds this summer in a bid to get fitter then why not join me?,” he added.
Observer readers can follow Coun Riaz’s efforts online with a weekly blog at www.worcesterobserver.co.uk where the Mayor of Worcester will share his thoughts and experiences as he bids to reach his targets.
