The pals - including Jewish Telegraph deputy editor Mike Cohen - started the four-week Fat Chance challenge yesterday.

The idea came from philanthropist Mark Weingard, a Mancunian who now lives in Spain.

For every pound lost, he will donate £100 and for every centimetre of gut lost he will donate another £100.

And if they lose 100lbs in weight between them, Mark will add another £5,000.

Funds raised will go to Faith Network 4 Manchester's planned interfaith centre.

The organisation's Jonny Wineberg - who is also taking part in the challenge - said: "Mark decided that rather than just giving us money, he's set a challenge for all of us to do together."

HOPE: Johnny

The planned centre, next to St Peter's Chaplaincy in the city centre, will cost around £50,000.

Jonny, who weighs 16st 11lbs and who is hoping to lose 12lbs, said: "We will all be reporting in every week to Mark.

"We have been in receipt of the National Lottery's Awards for All scheme, but we still have to pay for the overheads and need money to staff it.

"We are working on a business plan with the city council. Manchester is one of the most multi-cultural centres in the world, so it is appropriate."

Mark is setting up a Facebook page to show how the participants are doing.

The Jewish Telegraph's Mike said: "After losing a stone at the end of last year, my willpower totally vanished and I started eating crisps and sweets again.

"Hopefully, this will now provide me with the incentive to restart the diet.

"While others may be exercising as well as dieting, I may just go on hunger strike until Manchester City score again."

There will be two competitions during the challenge - for the one who loses the most weight and the one who loses the most centimetres off their waist.

www.fn4m.org