When I’m hospitalised, staff assume it’s because of anxiety
Beki is a PhD student from the West Midlands. She has several health conditions including severe asthma and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). EDS is a rare inherited condition that affects connective tissue. Last May, Beki set herself a fundraising challenge to complete 180,000 steps to raise money to mark World Asthma Day and EDS Awareness Month.
The nurse on the helpline reassured me at a critical time in my life
Bethany is one of our volunteer ambassadors. She was motivated to join us after she found out she had congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) found the help and advice she got from our health advice and specialist nurses really helpful. Last year, after her health deteriorated, she found herself turning again to our nurses for support. Here she tells us all about it.
It feels like I’m drowning all the time: Lotus’s story
Lotus always had mild asthma until six years ago. Then her symptoms started getting progressively worse, until by 2023 she was so breathless that she couldn’t work full time anymore. She was diagnosed with a rare disease called Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and now uses oxygen to help her breathe.
It’s a condition I’ve lived with all my life - I’ve never known any different
Joey from Wiltshire has lived with severe asthma since she was a child. She’s fundraising for Asthma + Lung UK in memory of her friend, Becky, who sadly passed away from a lung condition in August 2023.
I know that I’m incredibly lucky to still be alive
When Matt returned back from a trip from Berlin in early 2008, he became really unwell. Initially he was diagnosed with tonsillitis, then flu which escalated into an induced coma. Here he tells us about his experience and how it’s led him to take action to protect others.
I still struggle sometimes but my body has learned to make up for the loss of a lung
Richard from Lancashire ran the London Marathon 2024 for Asthma + Lung UK. He had to build his endurance up gradually because he only has one lung, meaning he has less oxygen capacity than other runners, which can affect his ability to exercise. Read more about how he keeps active with his condition.
Being active has changed my life: exercise and my asthma
Chloe was diagnosed with asthma as a child. As she got older, her symptoms had completely disappeared. But when she started university, this changed. Here she tells us how getting active has helped her manage her asthma - and changed her life.
Asthma often limited what I could do - until I started running
Our supporter, 44-year-old Kevin Wood from East Lothian ran both the London Marathon and Edinburgh Marathon earlier this year. He’s had asthma since he was a child. Here he tells us how running has given him opportunities to do things he never thought possible.
Celebrating some of our amazing fundraisers
Our amazing supporters never fail to impress us with their creativity and passion. This year we’ve had some truly unique fundraising, alongside the failsafe classics. Here are just a few of their stories.
Stepping up to the challenge: Climbing 10 towers for lung health
Our amazing supporters at Poplar HARCA organised a unique challenge to raise money for Asthma + Lung UK. Here Alice from our community fundraising team tells us all about it.
After Dad died, fundraising gave me a sense of purpose
In May 2024, our supporter Amy sadly lost her dad after a fall which caused his lung to collapse. He also had COPD. Here she tells us how fundraising for Asthma + Lung UK in his memory gave her a sense of purpose.
He would have thought I was bonkers: running in memory of my uncle Keith
Liam’s uncle, Keith, sadly passed away from Pulmonary Fibrosis in January 2023. Liam ran the Manchester 10k earlier this year in Keith’s memory and fundraised for Asthma + Lung UK.
He thought when he got home he’d be fine, but that didn’t happen that day
Our supporter Gemma ran the London Marathon this year for Asthma + Lung UK. She ran in memory of her brother, Grant, who passed away from an asthma attack. She ran alongside Grant’s lifelong friends, Kim and Andy.
If I can help prevent just one asthma attack I’ll be happy
Our incredible supporter Natalie took on the mighty London to Paris cycling challenge to raise awareness of just how serious asthma can be. Here she tells us all about it.
We want to keep Luke’s memory alive: why I ran the Cardiff Half Marathon
Sam Phillips from Newport ran the Cardiff Half Marathon this year in memory of her beloved son, Luke. He tragically lost his life to a sudden asthma attack in 2019, when he was just 19 years old.
I’ll make Matt proud - running the London Marathon for my brother
Our supporter Mia ran the London Marathon this year for Asthma + Lung UK in memory of her brother, Matthew, who passed away from an asthma attack. Here she tells us why she chose to take on the challenge.
Remembering Margaret: taking on the four peaks challenge in memory of my wife
Our amazing supporter, Gerard, sadly lost his wife Margaret to bronchiectasis in October 2023. This year he took on a special challenge to remember her and raise awareness of this condition. Here he tells us all about the challenge and what it meant to him.
People don’t understand what a lung condition can take away from you - Elina’s story
Elina was only 26 when she was diagnosed with emphysema, a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). On World COPD Day, here she shares her story to help raise awareness and encourage people to seek advice if they have symptoms.
How you can help save the NHS by taking part in their consultation
The government and the NHS are working together to save the NHS. They have launched a consultation to find out what people think about the NHS and what needs to change. Read on to find out how you can take part and why it’s so important for the future of the NHS.
Breakthroughs you should know about: Highlights from the European Respiratory Society Congress
The European Respiratory Society Congress is one of the biggest events in respiratory research. Three jam-packed days of science, innovation and breakthroughs. Here's what we got excited about at this year’s event.