Cancer centre shows support for Stoptober!

THE Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is pulling out all the stops to help support staff, patients and visitors to quit smoking.

As a no smoking site, the Centre is committed to helping smokers quit the habit and they will be showing their support for the nation's biggest mass quit attempt; Stoptober 2015.

The 28 day stop smoking challenge helps to change lives; if you can stop smoking for 28 days, you're 5 times more likely to stay smoke free.

The theme for this year is to encourage people to stop smoking with someone else, as research shows that smokers are ⅔ (67%) more likely to quit when their spouse stops smoking, a ⅓ more likely to quit when a close friend (36%) or someone they work with (34%) stops.

The data also shows that individuals are much more likely (61%) to smoke if their partner or a close friend smokes, showing the powerful influence that people's social networks have on their own smoking behaviour.

So throughout the month of October 2015, lung cancer clinical nurse specialists from The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre will be giving advice and support to anyone who wants to quit. The Centre is also offering a smoking cessation service at their on site pharmacy, PharmaC.

Sarah Cubbin, Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, said:- "People in Merseyside and Cheshire are 20% more likely to die of cancer than the average for England. This is thought to be due to social factors such as deprivation, not seeking medical help at an early stage and lifestyle including smoking and diet. As a leading cancer centre we have a duty to our patients. We became a smoke free site in March this year and smoking is no longer allowed anywhere on our hospital grounds. Stoptober is a great way to get the message out that we are here to support anyone who wants help to stop smoking. We know how hard it is for someone to break the habit so we will have staff on hand to offer support at every step of the journey."

The Centre's charity; The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity; is asking those taking part to make the most of Stoptober and raise cash for cancer patients. Friends and family can show their support and encouragement through sponsorship, or smokers can donate the money they usually spend on cigarettes to the Charity.

To donate now, simply text:- 'CURE' to:- 70111, to give £4 *

Jade Barrett, Fundraising Manager, said:- "This is a great personal challenge to support our Charity. The money raised will help us fund vital cancer research, equipment and support services that may otherwise be unavailable, ranging from new innovations in cancer treatment to the special touches that really help to change lives. For some smokers, stopping for 1 week will fund a wig for a cancer patient experiencing hair loss, costing £60. Stopping for a month could raise enough money to fund 10 sessions with our counsellor, for patients or family members struggling to come to terms with a diagnosis. On behalf of our staff and patients, a huge thank you to everyone taking part."

* Texts cost £4, plus standard rate text message charge. 100% will be received by the charity. Text helpline:- 0151 482 7948. Please ensure you have the bill payer's permission.

 British Musical Fireworks Championships 2015

THE British Musical Fireworks Competition is only days away from being held here on Merseyside.  It is the only one of its kind in the UK!  if you like all things that go bang, well this is a must see event, that takes place annually over 3 nights.  This time, the show will again have 7 of the UK's top pyrotechnics putting on explosive entertainment, just for you! Sadly as it is a competition, their can only be 1, 1 winner that is... This years event starts on Friday, 2 October 2015 and ends on Sunday night, 4 October 2015... So please do come on down to Victoria Park, Southport and see who will become the winner, in 2015. To get tickets in advance go to:- British-Musical-Fireworks-Championships.Co.UK.