I have been really touched at all the kindness I've been shown by other people during my challenge.

Members of the public have emailed me or left comments with suggestions of things I can do- one lady emailed offering recipes with cheap and easy ingredients.

Another offered to send me a food hamper (although she also asked if I could, in return, rig it so her child wins News Shopper's Child of the Year competition... I think she may have misplaced confidence in the amount of power and influence I wield at the paper)

My mum's boyfriend's brother's wife was shown my blog by my proud mum and she has emailed me some websites where you can find restaurant vouchers and meal deals.

I have already taken advantage of them and the other night I went out and had a starter, pizza and glass of wine for a tenner- perfect.

Another evening I was invited for dinner at a friend's who has weekly pie nights with his other housemates.

Each week they challenge each other to make more and more exotic pies from scratch.

I had an enjoyable two hours watching a group of dashing young blokes toil over the hobs and the oven to produce the food.

(I was glad I managed to contribute at least a bottle of wine.)

Here and there people have been helping me out.

People in the office giving me biscuits, worried I'm starving myself.

Thank you to everyone!