Wakefield stop smoking adviser taking the leap for No Smoking Day
An NHS stop smoking adviser with the Wakefield stop smoking service is taking the leap from 12,000FT this March to mark No Smoking Day 2012.
Katie Barnett works for the local stop smoking service, which is provided by South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Katie is taking part in a sponsored skydive to help raise awareness of No Smoking Day and to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation.
Katie and her team offer free friendly support for local people who want to stop smoking. As well as support and advice they help with access to nicotine replacement therapy, Champix and Zyban, to help smokers who choose to quit smoking.
This year’s No Smoking Day, which is provided by the British Heart Foundation, takes place on 14 March. On this day more than a million smokers are expected to make a quit attempt. We know that most smokers would really like to stop, but find it hard to. So this year No Smoking Day, with the help of local stop smoking teams, is encouraging smokers to Take the Leap and give it a go.
Katie will be doing her skydive on Saturday 10th march at Hibaldstow airfield near Brigg in North Lincolnshire. The rest of her team will be offering moral support from the ground as Katie, attached to a professional instructor, jumps out of the plane at 12,000FT and then free falls at around 120mph for 45-50 seconds before gliding down to earth.
Speaking about the skydive specialist stop smoking advisor Katie Barnett said, "This is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness of No Smoking Day at the same time as raising money for a fantastic charity. We help people everyday to give up smoking, but it’s great to be able to show just how committed we are to the cause by taking this giant leap!"
To show your support for Katie and the British Heart Foundation you can sponsor her jump by visiting her Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/Katie-Barnett1
As well as the skydive the team will be out and about in Wakefield and Pontefract on No Smoking Day giving out information on all the support that is available to help you succeed in becoming a non-smoker in 2012.
If you live in or around Wakefield, and would like to know more about this free service contact the specialist stop smoking service on 01977 465449. Alternatively you can drop in to the Quit Shop, 21 Northgate, Wakefield Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9.30 – 4pm and Wednesday 7.30am – 7pm.