Fighting fit former alcoholic ready to do grandmother proud in body building competition

John Dixon, 33, from The Scotlands, used to drink seven days a week, occasionally take drugs and classed himself as obese.

When his grandmother Jean died in April 2013, John made a vow to change his life in her memory.

He has now been nearly two years without a drink and has only eight per cent body fat.

He said: "My nan would always be on at me to stop drinking, telling me how bad it was for my health.

"Doctors had also warned me that I wouldn't last much longer if I carried on.

"When she passed away it hit me hard and I wanted to change while I still had the chance."

John decided fitness was the way forward and set about improving his life through working out and healthy living.

After quitting drink on October 10, 2013, he hasn't looked back and will take part in the National Amateur Body Building Association's Midlands area show on April 26, competing against body builders from the region.

John has committed himself to a 13 week preparation schedule ahead of the event and believes he is ready for the challenge.

He will be taking part in the competition in memory of his grand mother as well as raising money for Pancreatic Cancer UK and Wolverhampton drink and drug support group Aquarius.

He said: "When I look back on the person I was and the person I am now, there are so many people who I feel I want to pay back.

"This is a way of keeping my nan's memory going and also a way of thanking Aquarius, who really helped me give up alcohol.

"I want to donate to Pancreatic Cancer UK because when I think back to when my nan died, I wonder if only there was more money spent on treating this disease then maybe I could have seen her one more time.

"I also want to show people who are going through what I went through that there is more to life than this."

To donate to John's cause, visit justgiving.com/nannyjean