Wanted - 15-year-olds with asthma
29 July 2008

Asthma UK Scotland is looking for 15-year-olds across Scotland with asthma to act as ambassadors for the charity and encourage others to lead a full and active lifestyle.

One 15-year-old from each of Scotland’s 14 Health Board areas will be chosen to co-ordinate innovative activities for other children and young people with the condition, including at an event to celebrate World Asthma Day in May 2009. The successful candidates will receive training and support from Asthma UK Scotland and will be guests of honour at a party to mark the charity’s 15th birthday, at Murrayfield Stadium in September.

Shona Haslam, Asthma UK Scotland’s National Director, said: ‘Scotland has one of the highest rates of childhood asthma in the world and what better way to help address that than to encourage young people with asthma to raise awareness of the condition.

‘We have recently been running focus groups with young people across the country and one thing we have consistently heard is they appreciate being able to talk to other youngsters with asthma who understand what it is like, for example, to be bullied because they can’t take part in sport. By working with young people themselves, one of the messages we want to get across to people with asthma but also teachers and coaches is that exercise is good for all children and young people as long as they receive the right support.’

The charity’s 15th birthday party is being supported by Scottish Rugby. Dominic McKay, Scottish Rugby’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs, said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Asthma UK Scotland. As many sportsmen and women have shown, having asthma is no barrier to making it to the top in any sport and we hope this event will encourage even more young people to lead an active lifestyle.’

If you were born in 1993 and have asthma, or know someone who is eligible, and want more details on how to be an ambassador for Asthma UK Scotland, contact Gordon Brown, Asthma UK Scotland’s Public Affairs and Communications Manager on 0131 226 2544.