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.
“He was so loved and is needed and missed by all of us, every second of every day.”
Sian from Cwmbran, Wales held a fun psychic medium evening to raise money in remembrance of her dad, Steven, who passed away in October 2022.
“We lost my dad, known to his grandchildren as ‘bampy’, a few years ago. He was a private and reserved man but full of wisdom, knowledge and advice for his family who he had always been a rock for. He was a fit and healthy man until, working in a factory, he got some lung scarring and was later diagnosed with COPD.
Along with a friend who had also recently lost her dad, we set out to raise money in remembrance of them both. We held a fundraising evening which raised over £700 to share between the three charities, one of which was Asthma + Lung UK.
“I would encourage everyone to fundraise in their own way”
Leo set the Guinness World Record for most gyms visited in a single day to raise money for Asthma + Lung UK.
“I chose to fundraise for the charity as I have had asthma for most of my life. When I was a child, the charity really helped me and my family understand my condition.
I live in one of the most polluted areas of London. The work that the charity is doing to help improve air quality for everyone is particularly important to me as air pollution is one of my main asthma triggers.
Every year I receive the Guinness World Record book. It inspired me to fundraise while also attempting a record. In total it took me 14 hours to visit every gym. While at the gym I did 10 bicep curls, my girlfriend filmed me and I got witness statements from people in the gym.
I’ve raised £900 so far but I’m hoping to raise more now that I have the record.”
Claire at her office bake sale
“Arranging a cake trolley and baking a cake or two is a great way to fundraise”
Claire was diagnosed with asthma when she was just seven years old.
“I remember when I was diagnosed, my GP took the time to explain my medicine and the ‘scary’ spacer, back then spacers were huge in size. He also gave me a copy of Desmond Dragon which was such a great book to explain my newly diagnosed condition.
Asthma has been a big part of my life for a long time now, I’ve learnt to take a few different types of inhalers, do peak flow tests and learn how anxiety and stress can impact my asthma. All of that is down to the wonderful resources on Asthma + Lung UK.
I decided to hold a bake sale in my office, lots of people got involved and donated. We managed to fundraise £250 and my work place have matched the funding with a total of £500 for a great cause.”
Ryan’s grandad
“It’s a small amount of money but if it can help make someone’s life easier, it is worth fundraising for.”
Ryan has raised over £1000 for Asthma + Lung UK in memory of his Grandad and his friend’s mum who sadly passed away.
“I held a white-collar boxing fundraiser to raise money in memory of my friend’s mum who passed away with COPD this year and my grandad who passed away last year.
I previously held a boxing event for a hospice which was a success and wanted to do something special to fundraise for a special cause that supports people with lung conditions
Participants of the Lyme Lunge 2024
“I wanted to raise awareness of the complexities of lung disease and the importance of research”
Steve from the Lyme Regis Rotary club chose Asthma + Lung UK as one of the beneficiaries of the Rotary Club’s annual New Year’s Day Swim – the Lyme Lunge, in memory of his wife Debra. The event raised a huge £3,000 for Asthma + Lung UK.
“Debra had a condition known a Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis which resulted in permanent scarring of her lungs. The condition was very difficult to deal with as it was caused by Debra’s immune system reacting to something in the air she was breathing in. We were told there were over 200 possible sources (or antigens)* that could be affecting Debra, so we were unable to find the specific cause of her condition.
Debra was connected to an oxygen machine to help her breathe and for the last 15 months of her life as even the most simple tasks of movement would leave her out of breath.
Throughout this difficult period, Debra showed extreme bravery and fortitude and did not let her circumstances affect her, while I cared for her during this time.”
“I thought there’s no better time to do it than now.”
Sam, from Somerset took part in a 15,000ft tandem skydive in memory of his Dad, Philip, who sadly passed away in August 2022.
Sam and his family
Philip was diagnosed with asthma at a young age, and later in life he developed COPD.
His health unfortunately deteriorated after the pandemic with multiple admissions to hospital. He eventually required oxygen 24 hours a day. Despite his health problems, he was determined to continue enjoying his much-loved passion – motorsports.
“Dad loved bikes, and it was a big hobby throughout his life. He was part of a bike club, and they did a lot of charity work. Even when Dad couldn’t ride his Harley anymore, that didn’t stop him. My brother bought him a trike, which had bags on the back so he could have his oxygen bottles with him. We used to follow behind him in a car, but he was still able to get out a little bit and spend some time with his friends.
We chose to fundraise for Asthma + Lung UK because it’s something we felt that we could in memory of Dad and help others that have struggled or are struggling with lung conditions.”
So far, Sam and his family have raised almost £3,000 through the skydive, cake sales, Easter egg hunts and Christmas events. They are planning on organising more fundraisers in the future in memory of Philip.
Feeling inspired to fundraise? We have lots of great ideas for you or get in touch with your own! We’d love to support you. Visit our website to find out more.
We empower people with lung conditions to make changes that can be transformative.
Please donate now to help make sure people with lung conditions can live well this year.
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