Press Release
August 2008
PAISLEY COUPLE ONE STEP CLOSER TO €15,000 HOLIDAY VOUCHERS PRIZE
Stevie and Lesley Kidd from Paisley have stormed their way to the semi-final of the European Smokefree Quitter of the Year 2008. The couple quit smoking in January 2008 to set an example to their nine-year-old son.
The European Smokefree Quitter of the Year competition is run by QUIT®, the charity dedicated to helping people stop smoking.
Managing Director Stevie said: “I had smoked for more than 20 years but one night I decided enough was enough and it was time to quit. We didn’t want to smoke around our son Ryan and as he was getting older, we knew we had to do it now. It was a split second decision for me and I haven’t smoked since.”
Lesley said: “I had tried to quit on and off before when I was pregnant with my sons but never managed it long term. I quit a couple of weeks after Stevie and we supported each other through it by sending each other text messages when we were tempted to smoke. I feel much healthier now I have quit, I can run up and down the stairs without feeling out of breath. I work in a hairdressing salon and now when I wash the hair of smokers, I realise that I must have smelt of stale smoke too,without knowing.”
Stevie added: “I used to hate the smell of smoke on my suits but I don’t have that anymore, and I’m encouraging other staff at work to quit as well. I’ve also noticed I can do my kickboxing for longer now and I feel much better within myself.”
If Stevie and Lesley reach the finals of the competition, they’ll win a two-night stay in Amsterdam in September, where one of 12 European finalists will be awarded €15,000 holiday vouchers.
Anyone inspired by Stevie and Lesley should ring Quitline® 0800 00 22 00 for friendly help and advice on how to quit.
ENDS
For more details about the European Smokefree Quitter of the Year or QUIT (lead agency of European Network of Quitlines), please contact Kate Spicer 0207 553 3267.
QUIT is the independent charity whose aim is to save lives by helping smokers to stop. Smokers wanting to quit can call the Quitline 0800 002200 7 days a week 9am-9pm for help and advice on quitting smoking, or access email counselling via stopsmoking@quit.org.uk. For more information, visit www.quit.org.uk
Pfizer has provided financial support towards this awards programme. However, the European Network of Quitlines has full editorial control of all materials relating to the awards and full control over both the selection criteria and selection of finalists and winners. . |
