A mum who kicked smoking into touch thanks to kickboxing has been awarded a prized black belt.
Suzanne Harwood, of Arnside Close, Clayton-le-Moors, had been a smoker for almost 30 years and was diagnosed with cancer eight years ago.
After suffering a number of health problems, she finally smoked her last cigarette after taking up the sport three years ago.
At 44 the Mount Pleasant Primary School teaching assistant is one of the oldest regular members of Accrington’s Kokoro Kickboxing Club, but training four hours a week keeps her fit.
Suzanne said: "I gave up smoking two weeks after I took up kickboxing and I just wanted to improve my life. I had been smoking since I was 14 and I used to smoke about 20 a day.
"I did have cancer in 2002 but that's all in remission now. I enjoy the kickboxing and it just helps keep your mind off smoking. I did judo when I was younger but I always fancied doing kickboxing."
Suzanne's love of the sport has also become something of a family affair, with husband Andy, son Ben, daughter Emma and even foster son Kyle having a go.
Now she has the black belt Suzanne will carry on her training and wants to become an adult instructor.
Kokoro means Heart and Spirit, Benevolence and Strength in Japanese, and these are the qualities the instructors aim to foster in the gym.
1st dan instructor Alison Curtis said: "Suzanne is one of our oldest students and one of the first to join. She caught the kickboxing bug from day one and she’s loved it ever since.
"I know she’s had quite a lot of health issues. She’s been in and out of hospital and had lots of operations and is really scarred.
"But still she comes three times a week and never fails."
