Rugby star helps Julie try quitting

NO more cigs . . . Oldham Roughyeds commercial manager Julie Cleave with Roughyeds full back and Stop Smoking counsellor Paul O’Connor

A LIFE-LONG smoker is preparing to stub out the cigs from today — with the help of Roughyeds full back Paul O’Connor.

Julie Cleave (48), commercial manager at the Oldham rugby league club, has been assigned the player, who is also a NHS Oldham Stop Smoking counsellor, in her bid to quit for good.

Originally, Ms Gleave met with the smoking cessation staff to discuss sponsorship of the team’s pre-match warm-up gear.

Habit

But she was so impressed with the service they offered she decided there and then to quit her 25-a-day habit.

Mrs Gleave, who lives in Warrington, said: “I’ve smoked for over 20 years, it is a life-long habit.

“Some time ago I weighed more than 17-stone and when I stopped smoking, I put on another half a stone.

“Although I lost the weight through exercise and healthy eating, gaining weight was always a worry.

“I went to talk to the Stop Smoking team about sponsorship but while speaking to them, it became apparent I should be doing something about stopping smoking and they could help me.

“It was like a light bulb moment.” Ms Cleave said the range of methods available to help smokers quit was what convinced her to do it.

She has now arranged to speak to a Stop Smoking counsellor today when she will give up her habit for good.

And Paul O’Connor will be available to lend a helping hand.

She said: “I did try doing it on my own and didn’t succeed but they’ve got counsellors I can phone in when I feel tempted to reach for the cigarettes.

“Its definitely going to be very difficult for me but I will be taking up exercise again and making sure I keep myself occupied.”

Liz Woodworth, clinical lead with Oldham Community Health Services specialist stop smoking service, said: “We are always looking for new ways to help people stop smoking by getting out into the community.

“We use trained advisers, who can give evidence based support and non-judgemental advice and will help smokers to decide which treatment is most appropriate for them.

“And we can provide access to the latest and best treatments, ensuring the physical addiction is managed and allowing smokers to focus on conquering the emotional habit.

“Support we provide includes help setting a quit date as well as advice on stop smoking medicines, available free on prescription.” The Stop Smoking service can be contacted on 0800 328 8534. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm.