Schools asked to get active for asthma
22 March 2006

Asthma UK today (23 March) launched its Kick Asthma mini-marathon - a new fundraising challenge for schools. The Kick Asthma mini-marathon will encourage pupils to get fit and active while raising money for the 1.1 million children in the UK with asthma.

Asthma UK is asking schools around the UK to take part and get their pupils active for asthma. Schools can organise their mini-marathon to coincide with World Asthma Day, 2 May, or any time during the summer term.

Each school's Kick Asthma mini-marathon covers 26.2 miles, the same distance run by marathon world champion Paula Radcliffe, who has asthma herself, but is divided into shorter stretches so that everyone can take part. ‘The Kick Asthma mini-marathon is a great way for schools to encourage pupils to be more active and have fun while raising money for children with asthma,’ said Steve Grainger, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, which is supporting the event.

Through the Kick Asthma mini-marathon, Asthma UK hopes to highlight that asthma need not be a barrier to children taking part in physical activity. 'Exercise keeps you fit and healthy. If children have asthma and it is well controlled, it shouldn't stop them having fun and participating in team activities with the rest of their classmates,' explains Paula Radcliffe, marathon world champion and Asthma UK Ambassador.

Asthma UK is committed to providing new and improved services for children and young people with asthma through its Kick Asthma initiatives – these include the new Kick Asthma website and Kick Asthma holidays.

To register your school for the Kick Asthma mini-marathon and receive a comprehensive fundraising pack, contact Kick Asthma mini-marathon or 020 7786 5000.