New Year is a good time to give something up. Read the amazing story of Barry Toms, 57, from Laindon in Essex. He gave up smoking and here’s why...

Barry has been a Swan resident since 2001 and since then, this life-long smoker has had a heart attack, died twice and now struggles to breathe.

“I smoked for 40 years and gave up 3 years ago when I had a heart attack. I died twice on the operating table. That night, the nurse kept poking me to keep me awake. Every time I fell asleep, my heart stopped. That was a frightening experience. Strangely, I thought I only had indigestion!

A year later I was still having chest pains. I was a carer for my wife who has MS - but can’t anymore as I got too ill. The Doctor scanned me and said I had COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease) brought on by smoking. Once you’ve done the damage there’s no going back.”

Now Barry only has 20% lung capacity left. He gets short of breath and can’t walk far before getting muscle spasms as he can’t get enough oxygen around his body.

“The best way to solve problems, is to talk to people like us who are experiencing the same things. I found a British Lung Foundation self-help group called ‘Breathe Easy’. They help anyone with any kind of lung condition, of any age. A cup of tea and a chat is great - but we’re also put in touch with doctors, respiratory nurses and specialists. We even have talks from Pharmacists about the side effects of various medicines.

“I ended up getting more and more involved. After 3 weeks, I ended up becoming Chairman or it would have closed as no-one else volunteered. I found comparing notes far too useful to let that happen. We’ve got 950 people on our mailing list and up to 60 people come to the meetings.

“The group has changed my life and gives me a purpose. I felt alone and want others to know they aren’t the only ones suffering. I would highly recommend ‘Breath Easy’ and ‘Dial’, who help disabled people.

Breathe Easy Basildon takes place between 1pm-3.30pm on the third Thursday of every month in Noakbridge Village hall. Call me on 01268 417065 for more information.

To find your local Breathe Easy group or to find out more about the British Lung Foundation please visit www.lunguk.org/ supporting-you/breathe-easy

To help quit smoking call the NHS Free Smoking Helpline: 0800 022 4332 Monto Fri 9am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm or go to www.smokefree.nhs.uk