HE MAY be one of the county’s most successful slimmers, but Alva man Steven Queen has now set his sights on gaining weight to complete a charity walk next year.

The 38-year-old has registered for one leg of the Glasgow-Edinburgh Trek, which is described by organisers “one of Scotland’s toughest walks”.

But undeterred by the task ahead of him, Steven is hoping to complete the 56km route by channelling the same determination that saw him shed half of his body weight.

By attending Slimming World classes in his hometown and committing to a radical lifestyle change, he went from 31 stone to 13 in a little more than a year.

His transformation was aided by his enjoyment of long walks – something he was unable to do at his previous weight.

Indeed, when at his heaviest he had been struggling with mobility problems, but is now able to walk 20 miles in the space of a weekend.

But in order to cope with the demands of walking from Glasgow to Linlithgow in a single day, Steven will have to take in more and more calories ahead of the big day next July.

“I’ll just need to get back on the Scotch pies,” he told the Advertiser. “That’s me lost almost 17 and a half stone. But now I’ll need to try and put some back on.

“It’s weird going to a slimming group knowing I have to put weight on, but I’m about six pounds under my target weight.”

As he continues to walk more and more, Steven knows his diet will have to change once again.

But when he reflects on his previous exploits, he feels more than ready for the challenge ahead.

He said: “I’ve been doing a lot more walking now. In fact, I did about 20 miles over the weekend there and I can feel myself getting hungrier.

“I go from Alva to Stirling and back a few times a week. That’s about 12 miles, so I know that I’ll need to try and up that considerably.

“I’ve also been up Dumyat and Colsnaur and Myreton a few times, and that helps build strength.

“I’m getting fitter every day, but this will be a challenge and something to keep me motivated. It gives me something to keep focused and, hopefully, it will mean I don’t pile the weight back on.”

Steven was also interested in the fundraiser as his grandmother had a heart condition and so he thought if he was going to walk, he may as well raise money for a good cause.

He is also hoping that businesses in the Wee County will support his efforts by offering to donate to the British Heart Foundation.

Steven said: “I know I’ll need to keep training for it. The weather will likely change over the next few months but I’ve got the waterproofs so I’m not going to let that put me off.

“I’m fairly confident and if I can show the same determination as I had with my weight loss then I’m sure I can do it. But it will be another big achievement for me.”

When asked if he would consider taking part in the Alloa Half Marathon, he added: “If I can walk it then I’ll give it a go, but I’m not sure about running it.

“I think the last time I ran anywhere was probably for the dinner bell at school.”

The British Heart Foundation is the UK’s largest heart charity, dedicated to support the growing number of people living with heart disease and associated difficulties.

To contribute to Steven’s cause, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Steven-Queen