I’ve raised over £10,000 pounds and I won’t stop there!

Laura’s daughter Erin had her first asthma attack at six months old. In this blog, she tells Erin’s story. She also talks about the fantastic fundraising which she has done for Asthma + Lung UK by taking part in the London Classics, where she’s raised over £10,000!

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Erin’s story

My daughter Erin has severe asthma and is the reason that I began my fundraising journey. She had her first asthma attack at six months old. We didn't get Erin's asthma under control until she was five. I lost count of the number of times we called an ambulance, and for a while she was admitted to hospital at least once a month for oxygen and nebulisers.

When Erin started school, I was worried, so I got in touch with Asthma + Lung UK (previously Asthma UK). The nurses on the end of the phone signposted me to resources and materials that I could use with the school to ensure they knew exactly how to manage Erin’s asthma. She doesn't often have an audible wheeze so when she was little it was hard to know that she was struggling, but the school worked with me to learn to recognise the signs of an attack.

Now that Erin is nine, she is confident to manage her own asthma. Last November Erin caught COVID-19. Despite her asthma being well managed these days it really brought it home how quickly things can change and how lucky we had been. A year later and she is well again and has not needed any hospital intervention for almost twelve months.

My fundraising story

I'd heard of Asthma + Lung UK (previously Asthma UK) through a friend of mine, who had run the London Marathon for them in April 2016. The night before the marathon Erin was admitted to Bristol Children's Hospital as she was in respiratory distress, and we watched the marathon from there. I knew that it was my turn to give something back so I decided I would apply to run the London Marathon and raise funds and awareness for Asthma + Lung UK.

I convinced my brother-in-law to apply too, and we were both lucky enough to get places to run in the London Marathon 2017! We had an amazing experience fundraising for Asthma + Lung UK, they were really supportive with training and fundraising tips leading up to the marathon. They were always happy to provide fundraising materials; we had signs, t-shirts, and lots more. The whole experience was fantastic, we felt so supported and had the best day.

The same year that I ran the marathon, the London Classics was created.

This comprises of three of the world's most iconic mass participation events - the London Marathon, the RideLondon-Surrey 100, and the two-mile swim at Swim Serpentine. I was on such a high from completing the marathon that I decided I'd go for it. My goal was to fundraise £10,000 from the three events.

I secured a charity place with Asthma UK to complete RideLondon-Surrey 100 in August 2019 with my Dad. Once again, we received lots of support in the lead up to the event and on the day. I'll never forget cycling up Wimbledon Hill to see (and hear) the Asthma + Lung UK cheer point and my children.

With two out of the three classics challenges completed, next was the Swim Serpentine. In September 2021 I completed the two-mile swim and received my Classics Medal and smashed the £10,000 total that I was aiming for.

I never thought I'd be able to run a marathon, cycle 100 miles or swim two miles in open water. But I did it all because I knew I was raising awareness and funds for a charity that could support more families like mine.

So, what next? I'd absolutely love to keep raising awareness and funds for Asthma + Lung UK. I'd encourage anyone who wants to support the charity to do it. You'll receive wonderful support and have the best experience.

Feeling inspired by Laura’s story? We have a wide range of events that you can take part in to fundraise for Asthma + Lung UK! Find out more!

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