The Great Barr Observer is aiming to increase awareness about asthma and raise vital funds for sufferers, with the launch of Asthma Aid.

It is asking readers to help raise £20,000 to fund the first specialist asthma nurse for North Birmingham by supporting its campaign on May 6 – World Asthma Day – by organising their own fundraising events.

It is estimated that up to 8m people suffer from asthma in the UK, with one in eight children, aged two to 15, having asthma symptons that require treatment.

The condition causes 1,500 premature deaths each year.

In the run up to the day it will be looking at the effects of asthma and highlighting the causes and treatments as well as dispelling any myths.

The paper will also be encouraging people to get involved and providing readers plenty of fundraising ideas.

And on the day newspaper staff will be out and about collecting copy for a special World Asthma Day edition.

Observer editor Mark Eustace said: “Until recently, my understanding of asthma was very poor and I certaintly had no idea what a serious illness asthma is.

“The fact it kills just proves we should all take it very seriously.

“That’s why we, the Great Barr Observer, have teamed up with the George Coller Memorial fund for Asthma Aid to help educate people about the killer illness, while at the same time raising money to fund a nurse for North Birmingham – a nurse who could be a lifeline between schools and those poor children who suffer.”

The Observer has long been a champion of The George Coller Memorial Fund, which was set up in 2000 in memory of a three-year-old boy who died of asthma.

Since November 2001 it has displayed the words ‘Supporters of the George Coller Memorial Fund’ under its masthead to remind readers of the charity.

Back to the campaigns index

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]