Half the man, twice the courage - Suffolk man plans skydive after losing 15 stone
Carl Riches made a promise to himself and his family 32 years ago. If he could lose more than half his body weight he would ‘jump out of a plane.’
Weighing in at more than 30 stone, it seemed an impossible dream for the family man from Stowmarket.
But fast-forward to 2026, and Carl, 59, has been on an incredible weight loss journey and managed to shed more than 15 stone in just a year. As a man of his word, has booked in his skydive and started a fundraiser for Sands, a charity close to his family’s heart.
He said: “I have always wanted to jump out of a plane just for the thrill and to say I have done it, but I have been too heavy for well over 35 years.
“32 years ago my friend decided he was going to do a skydive and I went to support him. This made me a little jealous so it was at this point I made the promise to friends and family that if I ever got below 16 stone I would book myself in for a skydive.”
Carl works as a staff supervisor for electricity firm UK Power Networks, and over the last few years, his family had become increasingly concerned over escalating health conditions including sleep apnoea, diabetes, and asthma which left him out of breath walking just a few hundred yards.
He said: “Weight has always been a struggle for me, from childhood right through to adulthood. My family's worries, along with my own, led me to take action and change my life for the better. With the support of my doctor, I began using weight loss injections and committed to a healthier lifestyle.”
In May 2025, Carl weighed over 30 stone and over the past year has lost more than 15 stone through a combination of diet, exercise and weight loss jabs. He said: “I am officially half the person I was just 12 months ago! But let me be clear, weight loss drugs aren’t a magic wand. They help, but I’ve had to work hard: hitting the gym two or three times a week and getting back to playing squash and badminton, sports I hadn’t enjoyed for over 30 years.
“I no longer have any of my health issues, other than asthma, which in itself is now classified as controlled and very mild.”
His health journey has always been about living longer for and being there for those that he loves. Without the support of family, friends and colleagues from UK Power Networks, none of this would have been possible for Carl. Colleagues including directors and even the CEO, have shown support for his enduring dedication.
He said: “My transformation has surprised even me, and my family and friends are still coming to terms with it. The biggest shock though, has been among colleagues I’ve known for decades but see less often, they hardly recognise me!”
On June 13, Carl will be taking the leap of faith from 15,000 feet in Cambridgeshire and raising money for Sands – the charity working to save babies’ lives and support bereaved families.
He said: “I’m actually quite scared of the idea of skydiving, but I must do it now and doing it for Sands makes it even more meaningful.”
Mandi Mack, Sands’ Commercial Development Lead, said: “A big thank you to Carl and all his supporters at UK Power Networks for fundraising for Sands. Every penny raised will help Sands continue it’s vital work to save babies’ lives through research, training and campaigning and provide a safe, understanding and caring community for anyone touched by pregnancy or baby loss.”
Every day in the UK, 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth. And there's still much uncertainty around the numbers and rates of pregnancy loss, with evidence suggesting at least 1 in 6 pregnancies end in miscarriage. This heartbreak leaves a deep and lasting impact on the lives of parents and families.
Carl is on course to hit his fundraising target of £1,500 and to support him, you can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/carl-riches-1.
Published: 30/04/2026
Back to news
Weighing in at more than 30 stone, it seemed an impossible dream for the family man from Stowmarket.
But fast-forward to 2026, and Carl, 59, has been on an incredible weight loss journey and managed to shed more than 15 stone in just a year. As a man of his word, has booked in his skydive and started a fundraiser for Sands, a charity close to his family’s heart.
He said: “I have always wanted to jump out of a plane just for the thrill and to say I have done it, but I have been too heavy for well over 35 years.
“32 years ago my friend decided he was going to do a skydive and I went to support him. This made me a little jealous so it was at this point I made the promise to friends and family that if I ever got below 16 stone I would book myself in for a skydive.”
Carl works as a staff supervisor for electricity firm UK Power Networks, and over the last few years, his family had become increasingly concerned over escalating health conditions including sleep apnoea, diabetes, and asthma which left him out of breath walking just a few hundred yards.
He said: “Weight has always been a struggle for me, from childhood right through to adulthood. My family's worries, along with my own, led me to take action and change my life for the better. With the support of my doctor, I began using weight loss injections and committed to a healthier lifestyle.”
In May 2025, Carl weighed over 30 stone and over the past year has lost more than 15 stone through a combination of diet, exercise and weight loss jabs. He said: “I am officially half the person I was just 12 months ago! But let me be clear, weight loss drugs aren’t a magic wand. They help, but I’ve had to work hard: hitting the gym two or three times a week and getting back to playing squash and badminton, sports I hadn’t enjoyed for over 30 years.
“I no longer have any of my health issues, other than asthma, which in itself is now classified as controlled and very mild.”
His health journey has always been about living longer for and being there for those that he loves. Without the support of family, friends and colleagues from UK Power Networks, none of this would have been possible for Carl. Colleagues including directors and even the CEO, have shown support for his enduring dedication.
He said: “My transformation has surprised even me, and my family and friends are still coming to terms with it. The biggest shock though, has been among colleagues I’ve known for decades but see less often, they hardly recognise me!”
On June 13, Carl will be taking the leap of faith from 15,000 feet in Cambridgeshire and raising money for Sands – the charity working to save babies’ lives and support bereaved families.
He said: “I’m actually quite scared of the idea of skydiving, but I must do it now and doing it for Sands makes it even more meaningful.”
Mandi Mack, Sands’ Commercial Development Lead, said: “A big thank you to Carl and all his supporters at UK Power Networks for fundraising for Sands. Every penny raised will help Sands continue it’s vital work to save babies’ lives through research, training and campaigning and provide a safe, understanding and caring community for anyone touched by pregnancy or baby loss.”
Every day in the UK, 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth. And there's still much uncertainty around the numbers and rates of pregnancy loss, with evidence suggesting at least 1 in 6 pregnancies end in miscarriage. This heartbreak leaves a deep and lasting impact on the lives of parents and families.
Carl is on course to hit his fundraising target of £1,500 and to support him, you can donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/carl-riches-1.
Published: 30/04/2026
Back to news