MANCHESTER MUMS IN WITH A CHANCE OF HOLIDAY PRIZE
Two ex-smokers from Manchester could win a holiday after quitting cigarettes for good to improve their health.
Barbara Cowell, 40, from Stretford and Jayne Berrisford, 41, from Flixton have both entered their story in the search for inspirational quitters across the UK for the European Smoke Free Awards 2009.
Run by UK stop smoking charity QUIT ®and the European Network of Quitlines, each entrant into the awards has a chance to win a trip to Barcelona for the awards ceremony, and compete with winners across Europe for a prize of €5,000 in holiday vouchers.
A health scare in September 2008 was the encouragement mum-of-two Barbara needed to stop the habit she had since a teenager.
She had gone to Glenthorn Dental Practice in Altrincham for a routine check up, and remembers: “They found white spots under my tongue, which were still there six months later. I was referred to the hospital, who told me that I was in the early stages of mouth cancer and I should stop smoking right away.”
Barbara stopped immediately and has been given the all clear. She said: “I was shocked and scared. I am proof that smoking can contribute greatly to the risk of cancer – not just lung cancer, but other cancers that are not as common. I am so grateful to my dentist and I believe it is important for them to be extra vigilant.”
She added: “I couldn’t imagine smoking again, it has changed my way of life. I really feel the benefit - I swim a lot more and am generally in much better health.”
Jayne, a mum-of five, has also turned her life around since stopping smoking for good in February.
A smoker since she was about 12 years old, Jayne finally decided to kick the habit for good for health reasons. She said: “I had an early morning cough, phlegm, chest pains and trouble breathing. I was also overweight. I live in a house with a lot of stairs and every time I got to the top of them I was on my hands and knees.”
Her 9-year-old son Thomas was also a main factor in her desire to quit. She said: “I knew he was scared after seeing the television adverts and I knew he wanted his mum here for a long time. “
Since quitting, Jayne has joined Weightwatchers and the gym, and taken part in a charity walk. She has also signed up for a beauty therapy course at her local college.
She said: “Since stopping smoking, I feel determined and I feel that I can achieve anything. My life has changed so much, I am so much happier and living life to the full. I have killed the cigarettes and am now living my life.”
The UK winner wins a weekend stay in Barcelona in February 2010 for the awards ceremony, with the overall European winner scooping €5,000 in holiday vouchers. The overall European runner up wins €2,000 holiday vouchers
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The closing date for entries into the competition is December 31, 2009, so there is still plenty of time to enter yourself or nominate someone. To enter, visit www.quit.org.uk or contact the Quitline on 0800 00 22 00. Rules of entry are on the website.
ENDS
Photographs available on request
The European Smoke Free Awards 2009 are supported by Pfizer, which has provided financial support for the awards programme.
The European Network of Quitlines has full editorial control of all materials relating to the European Smoke Free Awards and full control over the selection criteria and selection of finalists and winners.
For more information about the awards, contact Nicola Orchard at QUIT on 020 7469 0414 or email n.orchard@quit.org.uk
The European Network of Quitlines has full editorial control of all materials relating to the European Smoke Free Awards and full control over the selection criteria and selection of |
