The Environment Act will determine how we look after our environment over the coming decades. Our Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Rob Day, sets out what the Act means for tackling air pollution and how you can get involved to ensure the government delivers cleaner air.

Austin Orr, our Policy and Public Affairs Officer in Northern Ireland writes about the upcoming ban on smoking in private cars with children which is an important step towards a legacy of better lung health in Northern Ireland.

Gareth Brown, Scotland’s Policy and Public Affairs Officer for Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation, writes about the clean air milestones in 2021 and why the Scottish Parliament should take on board the calls from a coalition of charities, academics and researchers to look at progress on tackling air pollution in Scotland.

Dana, 67, from Shropshire was so shocked and moved when he heard that a little boy in his town had died from an asthma attack that he was inspired to start fundraising for Asthma UK – 11 years later, he’s one of our star supporters’ having raised over £40,000.

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 UK by taking part in the London Classics, where she’s raised over £10,000!

Greater Manchester is one of the most polluted regions of the UK. Air pollution across the region accounts for at least 1,200 premature deaths every year and is likely to be contributing to the extremely high prevalence of Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Our Policy & Public Affairs Officer, Rob Day, tells us more.

The New Year is a time for change and new beginnings, so why not resolve to manage your asthma better this January? Caroline, Respiratory Nurse Specialist Co-lead for our Helpline, tells us how we can do this.

We’ve seen research discoveries, our campaigners have worked harder than ever and together we’ve made our voices heard in various ways this year. Nicola, from our digital team, takes you through our top achievements in 2021.

We’ve pulled together some of our most popular blogs from this year, for you to discover or revisit over the festive break. So sit back and relax whilst reading through these stories from 2021!

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 UK by taking part in the London Classics, where she’s raised over £10,000!

In 2020, Geoff’s wife Joan passed away from COPD. This year, he took part in an incredible skydive to help fundraise for the British Lung Foundation, in memory of Joan. In this blog he tells us Joan’s story, and about his skydiving experience!

Roger completed the Rock ‘n’ Roll Liverpool Marathon for BLF this year, here he tells us his connection to Asthma UK and The British Lung Foundation, and why he decided to fundraise for BLF at this heavy metal run!

Yasmeen, 25, has severe asthma and gets her flu jab every year. She tells us why it’s important to her to get it every autumn.

Lucy, 64, lives in Orkney and has bronchiectasis. She tells us why she has her flu jab every year and what she would say to those who are unsure about getting theirs.

Diven, 36, has interstitial lung disease and has been getting his flu jab every year since his diagnosis.

Philippa Borrowman, our senior policy and public affairs officer for clean air, tells us about the clean air event hosted by Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation during the global climate conference COP26 in Glasgow.

Professor Rick Body, Professor of Emergency Medicine at University of Manchester, and Director of Research and Innovation at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, tells us about his work into developing rapid testing for COVID-19.

Professor Louise Wain is part of the Genetic Epidemiology Group at University of Leicester, and the British Lung Foundation Chair in Respiratory Research. Her research focuses on genetic factors that contribute to risk of developing respiratory disease. Here she tell us about her work to understand more about COPD and IPF in order to help us develop new treatments.

Sarah Woolnough reflects on her first year in post and the challenges facing respiratory services.

Carol Stonham and Steve Holmes co-chair the Taskforce for Lung Health diagnosis working group. Post this year’s World COPD Day they’ve reflected on the problems in diagnosing COPD and what’s being done to make sure people are diagnosed more quickly and accurately.