A slimmer lost 7st after being shamed into action following a frightening wake-up call on a Welsh mountain.

Eastern Daily Press: The slimmed down Sarah Ramm with fellow slimmer Paul Neale, who got his 4st and target award, and was voted Mr Sleek a few weeks ago. Pictures: Sarah RammThe slimmed down Sarah Ramm with fellow slimmer Paul Neale, who got his 4st and target award, and was voted Mr Sleek a few weeks ago. Pictures: Sarah Ramm (Image: Archant)

Sarah Ramm, 35, had to be rescued by an RAF helicopter after a fall because she was too heavy to be carried down.

Feeling humiliated and disgusted she joined a Slimming World group in Sheringham and dropped from 18st 13.5lb to 11st 10lb. She now runs slimming groups in Holt and Sheringham and lives in Melton Constable.

She said: 'While on holiday in Wales in August 2014 I had an accident. I was doing a walk which involved scrambling 400 metres up a dry waterfall, a steep and slippery climb.

'At over 17st I knew I was overweight but I was always determined to do what I wanted. I made it to the top, seriously out of breath.

Eastern Daily Press: Sarah Ramm during her rescue with her partner. Pictures: Sarah RammSarah Ramm during her rescue with her partner. Pictures: Sarah Ramm (Image: Archant)

'We walked about 20 yards on the flat hill top and I climbed over a very small wall. Fuelled with adrenalin from the success of my climb, I jumped from the 1ft high wall and landed badly, my weight buckling my knee under me.

'My partner helped me up but my knee just collapsed under me. We both looked around at the deserted surroundings and realised we were in trouble.

'My partner phoned the mountain rescue and they assessed my knee - no way I was going to walk down.

'They wrapped me in a cocoon blanket that wouldn't do up around my stomach and chest. I felt such shame and embarrassment. They decided not to carry me down but to call in the RAF rescue helicopter.

'I knew my size was a factor in their decision and I felt absolute humiliation.'

She had suffered severe ligament damage to her knee and, after being released from hospital, was on crutches and a walking stick for three months.

'I was disgusted because I knew my size was the reason I had damaged my knee – the sheer weight of me coming down on it had been too much,' she added.

'I ended up using a walking stick at 32. I spent three months on the sofa which only made my weight situation worse.'