TWELVE months on from the Olympic torch and the Queen’s visit, we catch up with some LiveWire success stories as it marks its first birthday of taking over responsibility for libraries, leisure and lifestyle in the town...


A DETERMINED man from Howley has a new lease of life after he kicked his 60-a-day smoking habit.

Paul Hughes finally faced up to his smoking addiction and is now saving hundreds of pounds each week.

The 41-year-old, who has a new bill of health to match his full bank balance, cannot believe the difference stopping smoking has made on his life.

Paul said: “I just have so much more energy now and I feel healthier. Everything tastes better and smells better.”

Paul, who was made redundant from his job as a locksmith and driver earlier this year, had tried everything to kick the habit but was always unsuccessful.

Little did Paul know that the solution was just around the corner, literally.

The former driver signed up to the Stop Smoking Service with Livewire and has never looked back since.

Paul has since put his cigarette money to good to use and has added to the Hughes family.

“I felt like I needed a bit of a boost even though I had given up cigarettes. I received a text from the Stop Smoking Team, congratulating me for quitting, and that I should treat myself so I did.”

Paul’s treat came in the form of Smudge, a shar-pei puppy who he calls his ‘bundle of joy’.

 A DAD of three has turned his life around after he received a stark warning from doctors about his unhealthy lifestyle.

John Ewing was given the reality check he desperately needed when he was told he was overweight and had high cholesterol levels to match.

The salesman said: “It gave me a wake-up call. I was really athletic when I was younger but that all stopped when children came along.

“I just wasn’t doing any exercise because I was so busy will the kids and before I knew it I had put on so much weight.”

But John has ditched the wagon wheels for weights by joining Woolston leisure centre where he has lost more than four and a half stone.

With a lot of hard work, John, who attends the gym five times a week, has built up his stamina and strength to tackle what ever challenge is thrown his way - whether it is a triathlon or mountain expedition.

John said: “I can’t even tell you how much better I feel. The best thing was when my second-youngest girl said to me ‘I like it now because I can fit my arms around you’.”

The father of three completed the Chester half marathon for Marie Curie on Sunday and despite feeling ‘a little achy’ he has never felt better.

 A BUBBLY mum from Penketh can now fit into her 18-year-old daughter’s clothes after she shed nine and a half stone.

Alison Leigh has dropped ten dress sizes and is now a petite size 10 after she decided to join the gym.

The mother of one said: “I knew I was overweight but it was a vicious cycle. I put on the weight because I didn’t exercise but then I was too embarrassed to go to the gym because I was so big.”

The 48-year-old started to put on weight after the birth of her daughter, Lucy, and from there it just spiralled out of control.

Alison said: “I remember I would always park as close as I could to where ever I was going as I hated walking. I would be out of breathe from simply walking from the car to the shop.”

Her weight gain also spelt the end of her marriage.

Alison said: “One day my husband turned around and said I was too fat. I knew I had put on weight but that was just heartless. It’s needless to say that I ended it.”

The children’s care worker looks and feels like a new woman and now has a permanent smile across her face after she joined the gym with Livewire.

Alison said: “Everything has changed. Now when I go shopping I buy something I like the look of whereas before I would buy something that would fit. I couldn’t be happier.”

A WOOLSTON man, who was unable to talk or walk after suffering from a stroke eight years ago, can be found swimming lengths at Woolston Neighbourhood Hub.

Lesley Hinkson, spent three months in hospital but his determination to get his life back on track has seen him back on his feet.

The 66-year-old has gone from strength to strength by easing himself back into fitness in the swimming pool.

The great-grandfather, who started driving again 12 months ago, said: “I have always enjoyed doing exercise and, before I had the stroke, I would go to the gym regularly.”

Lesley continued: “At the time when I had the stroke I could not even talk. I was left very frustrated by it all.”

Now back on his feet, Lesley, who attends the Stroke Club on Manchester Road, is delighted to have his freedom back.

Lesley said: “When I first came out of the hospital I had to come with a carer but now I’m able to walk here on my own.”

“Swimming has given me something to focus on. I go there times a week and I enjoy doing it.”