Bargain breaks with Kick Asthma holidays
13 April 2006

Book your child a place on a Kick Asthma residential adventure holiday for a guaranteed action-packed week of sports, games and social activities.

The adventure breaks for children and young people with asthma and related conditions are run by healthcare professionals and volunteers who provide a huge choice of social and sporting activities to occupy the children. Bowling, bingo, swimming, archery, treasure hunts and video nights form part of a typical day.

The aim of the holidays is to help children take control of their asthma and boost their confidence in managing their symptoms, through informal advice sessions.

'Often children are very shy when they first arrive as they may have been teased about their asthma at school, or they may be worried their asthma will stop them taking part in some of the activities,' says Patrick Ladbury, Asthma UK’s Children & Young People’s Development Manager.

'But after a few days the children become much more outgoing and confident in managing their condition. They realise all the other children are in the same position and so it's very easy for them to make friends.'

Split into two age ranges, for youngsters 6-11 and 12-17, the holidays take place over six sites across the UK. They are subsidised by Asthma UK where necessary. The dates and locations are:

• 15-21 July - Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
• 16-22 July - Edinburgh
• 6-11 August - Northampton
• 9-14 August - Wales
• 13-19 August - Harrogate
• 20-26 August - Southampton