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.
Fundraising for Asthma + Lung UK gave me a surprising realisation
Earlier this year. Grace , who is part of our Research + Innovation team, challenged herself to walk 100 miles in March to raise money for Asthma + Lung UK. After signing up, she had the surprising realisation that she was one of the one in five people in the UK who will be diagnosed with a lung condition in their lifetime. Here she tells us about her staggering diagnosis of tuberculosis and her fundraising journey.
Cycling for Asthma + Lung UK changed my life
Our supporter, Clarrie, took on a cycling challenge for Asthma + Lung UK. Here she tells why she took part in the challenge and how much of a difference it’s made to her wellbeing.
You make my dad’s life easier - why I run for Asthma + Lung UK
Our supporter Lesley ran for Team Breathe in the London Landmarks Half Marathon this year. Here she tells us about her journey to running half marathons and why supporting Asthma + Lung UK is so important to her and her family.
Why I ran the Great North Run for Asthma + Lung UK
Our supporter, Ricky ran the Great North Run for us this year in memory of his close friend Stevie. Here he tells us why it was so important for him and how he’s helping fight for everyone’s right to breathe.
Rebecca’s Story – why I took on the Hula Hoop challenge
Our supporter, Rebecca took part in our Hula Hoop Challenge this year. She hula hooped for 15 minutes every day for 30 days in May. She raised over £200 to support our vital work fighting for lung health. Here she tells us how the memory of dad, Nick inspired her to take on the challenge, and how it helped improve her fitness.
How running the London Marathon helped me manage my grief - and why I’m doing it again
Laura Gilmore, a 37-year-old Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) from Prestwick near Glasgow, will be tackling the iconic TSC London Marathon for Asthma + Lung UK Scotland for the second time. She tells us how running helped managed her grief after losing her dad to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and why she’s fundraising in his memory.
Genetic targeted therapy for lung cancer transformed my mother's life
In June 2020, Philomeena’s mum, Rita, was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer and she wondered how much time she had left. Now, in 2022, Philomeena shares the story of how she has cared for her beloved mother remotely, and how Rita is beating lung cancer.
My battle for a COPD diagnosis – and what helped change my life
Speaking on World COPD Day, Katy Brown, 65, from Bristol, reveals how she struggled to get a COPD diagnosis during the pandemic, the challenges she faced and what has helped her through.