Belper’s Matt St. Lawrence is 42 pounds lighter, but £100 richer after winning a Derbyshire-wide search for a ‘healthy hero’.

Matt impressed judges with his story of how he took up swimming, got fit and lost three stone in weight. Having never enjoyed sport and instead taking comfort in food, drink and cigarettes, Matt had been a 37-year-old 18-stone couch potato, always feeling tired, with back ache and a permanent cough, and a test for diabetes showed that he was well on the way to being in serious trouble.

But after buying a cheap swimming costume on a whim Matt began going swimming during his lunch break, and over the past 18 months has gradually improved his fitness, swimming more often and further each time.

Matt is pictured receiving his vouchers

To read Matt's story in full read on.....

Thank you to all those people who have submitted entries. To read some snippets of others stories read on.....

Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile is coming to Derbyshire on Sunday 21st March 2010.

There is a Sport Relief Mile Event taking place in every district across Derbyshire. Active Derbyshire and Jog Derbyshire are supporting these events so why not get active and take part in a mile near you!

Registration has already begun for events that are taking place in Derbyshire. To read more about the Derbyshire Miles read on......

To help you along the way why not join a Jog Derbyshire Group near you to start training now!

For more details on a Jog Derbyshire Group near you read on.......

This is a great time of year to get active and try something new. There are lots of different activities across the County which you can have a go at and have fun.

If however you need a few ideas on staying active once you have started here are a few simple tips:

• Set yourself clear, specific and realistic goals – log in on the interactive section and set yourself some short term and longer term goals- try to make them measurable and adjust them if necessary

• Be active wherever you can be – try to walk rather than getting in the car, build activity in to your daily everyday activity

• To help you achieve your goals keep an online diary – you will find this helps keep you motivated, fascinating to see how you are getting on and gives you a focus

These are just a few tips for more ideas on staying active read on.....

• Only 21% of people in Derbyshire do enough physical activity to benefit their health
• By taking part in just 30 minutes of activity 5 times a week you can improve your health and also have fun!
• Active Derbyshire will provide you with the information that you need to increase your activity levels

• It will help to motivate you, give you information to find out where you can take part and ideas about what you can do.

There are many benefits to being active

To find out more read on....