Come visit Y-Lynfield, and you’ll see a familiar face always busy sprucing up the place.

Our own Paul O’Brien has been with the YMCA Lynfield Youth and Leisure Centre for two decades and has won multiple YMCA staff awards, including an annual STAR award, awarded for supreme performance and work ethic over the years.

However, 2020 was tough for Paul with lockdowns as he doesn’t enjoy much time away from work but also because his doctor gave him the bad news that he was borderline Diabetic Type 2, if he didn’t change his lifestyle. And change he did!

To date, Paul has made us all so proud by losing around 20 Kgs in a three-month period. A winning combination of diet, exercise, and a big dose of determination has seen amazing results for our dear friend and we owe him thanks for being such an inspiration!

He is an avid walker and even did the equivalent of the walking distance for Round the Bays 2021 which was canceled because of Level 3 restrictions. Paul still has 10 kgs to go and we all are confident he’ll reach his goal before his next birthday in July.

Kia kaha, Paul! We are with you mate! :)

Below is a picture of Paul's amazing journey thus far.

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