Ballymoney cadets shine at awards ceremony

Celebrating the achievement of the BTEC Diploma is Cadet Corporal Shamragh Clark, also from Ballymoney. INBM05-14

A magnificent total of 650,000 local children have taken part in Cancer Focus Northern Ireland’s highly successful Smokebusters Club for P6 and 7 pupils in the past 25 years.

Smokebusters is a free programme for schools which highlights the harmful effects of smoking in a fun and engaging way. It teaches children skills to help them resist peer pressure to smoke before going into secondary school and alerts them to tobacco companies’ tactics to recruit younger smokers.

The local schools who have participated in Smokebusters include Ballymoney Model, Carrowreagh, Eden, Landhead, Leaney and Lislagan primary schools.

Cadet Sergeant Adam Graham from Ballymoney is pictured receiving his BTEC Diploma from Mrs Christie. INBM05-14

Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention at Cancer Focus, said: “We are very excited about the 25th anniversary of Smokebusters.

“I would like to thank all those schools and teachers who have shown so much support over the years.

“I am so proud of the way the club has grown and how well received it is by schools.”