Dad's battle to stop smoking helps others; Support for hyperactive children.

A COVENTRY dad is trying to quit smoking after 26 years and help hyperactive children at the same time.

Paul Cadwallader is being sponsored to stay away from cigarettes to raise the pounds 500 needed for Coventry and Warwickshire ADD/ADHD Support Group.

The group helps families with children who have attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It holds regular meetings and works to raise awareness. The money should help the group become a registered charity.

Mr Cadwallader, aged 39, of Westwood Road, Earlsdon, attends the group with his wife Lee. Their 15-year-old son Matthew, has ADHD.

The maintenance manager has smoked since the age of 13. He smoked up to 40-a-day - at a cost of pounds 56 a week - before deciding to quit on April 1. Sponsors will pay up if he is still not smoking after three months.

Mr Cadwallader said: "The first week wasn't too bad but now it's getting a bit harder."

His efforts have included changing his routine.

"After mealtimes I used to wash up, have a coffee and then have a cigarette," he said. "So now I don't have a coffee, leave it an hour and then have one, so it's broken the habit."

The money saved by his not smoking will go towards a visit to Lee's brother Paul in Chicago for the first time.

The support group will meet at Caludon Castle School in Axholme Road, Wyken, on Friday April 28 from 1-3pm. Further details are available from the group on 024 7661 3793.