LOSING weight has given a mum the confidence to transform her life and take on the muddiest of challenges.

Kezia Malpus rarely left the house before she dropped five dress sizes in 10 months and is using her new-found confidence to raise money for charity.

Not only has the 35-year-old donated 15 inches of her hair to Little Princess Trust which makes wigs for children who have cancer, she has signed herself - and seven of her friends - up for a tough mudder challenge.

Kezia, of Shelley Street, Westleigh, said: "A family member of mine was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and she is so stubborn she won't let me help. Doing something for the Breast Cancer Campaign is a way for me to do my bit.

"We have called ourselves the Rack Pack because we are a team of all women in quite a testosterone filled event. Our T-shirts are bright pink as well, although I am sure they won't be for long.

"Before I lost weight I would rarely go out and I had no social life but now my neighbours tell me I'm never in. I have a job as a veterenary nurse in Salford and they are really supportive."

Since losing the weight Kezia, mum to five-year-old Autumn, has begun taking karate lessons and now trains between four and seven times a week.

She added: "Without the initial weight loss I would never have had the confidence to step out. I am now part of a community having lived in the shadows for over five years."

Kezia and her team will tackle the muddtastic obstacle course in September 14 in Malpas, Cheshire. To donate, visit justgiving.com/Kezia RackPackMudder.