Nancy goes to Downing Street

Ten-year-old Nancy, who has asthma, was delighted to go to No 10 to help hand in our petition calling for the Government to set up a Cleaner Travel Access Fund.  Here she tells us what it was like going to Downing Street and why she wanted to support our campaign for cleaner air.

Nancy with Larry the cat

A day to remember

It was so exciting to go to Downing Street. I had people taking photographs of me and I knew that the Prime Minister lives there.

We got to go to the front door and there were security guards. It was absolutely amazing, and I met Larry the Cat! I got to stroke him – it was so much fun.

This petition is important because it could mean that people like me with asthma or other lung conditions will stop feeling ill so much or maybe even stop getting asthma so much.

My life with asthma

When I have an asthma attack, I'll start coughing and coughing and then I can't stop. I can feel unwell for a few days, so I miss fun stuff at school.

Having asthma does make things harder sometimes, but I don’t want my asthma to stop me doing the things I enjoy.

I do cricket and gymnastics. I like running too. I took part in the 2.6 kilometre run at school and I won the 400-metre race on sports day.

Air pollution makes it harder to breathe

We live in a busy street with a lot of traffic because we live right next to my school. When the air pollution is bad I can feel my throat getting tighter sometimes.

When we go to Ireland to stay in my grandparents’ house in the west of Ireland, it’s really quiet and there are barely any cars there.

I definitely find it easier to breathe in the countryside in Ireland. I haven’t had any asthma attacks there, so I haven’t needed to use my reliever inhaler.

Nancy, along with supporters Kelly Mae, her daughter, and Victor.

Telling the government to take action

I think the Government should do more to help reduce air pollution.

If people could use buses a lot more that would be better, because so many more people can go on a bus than in a car.

And there should be more electric bikes you can hire and just ride around on.

Something else that the Government should definitely do is make it easier for people to buy electric cars. If the majority of cars were electric, fewer people would get asthma.

They should teach more about air pollution in schools too, because if children learn more about how to improve air quality they would tell their parents about it.

Nancy knocking on the door of Number 10

Young people need to speak out

I think it’s very important that children are part of this campaign because when they grow up they will be less likely to do things that cause air pollution.

For example, they will be less likely to drive their car when they could catch a bus instead.

Children are also more at risk of getting asthma than adults, so they should definitely be involved in this campaign.

Grown-up campaigners can help to sort out some of the problems, but people really listen when young people speak out.

To find out how you could help to support this campaign and share your story like Nancy, visit our Clean Air Campaigns hub.