LUXFER GRANT TO BREATHE EASY GROUP

16 January 2007

Luxfer grant helps new Breathe Easy group get off to a great start

The picture shows Fleur Foster (holding cheque on right) of Luxfer Gas Cylinders presenting a grant cheque to the Bourne Breathe Easy group.

NOTTINGHAM, England  – Members of the new Breathe Easy group in Bourne Lincolnshire recently celebrated its launch day with the help of a start-up grant from Luxfer Gas Cylinders.

The British Lung Foundation has a network of 130 Breathe Easy support groups throughout the UK that are run by patients, for patients. Most groups have a dedicated health professional who provides help and advice. Groups vary in size and activity with some having between 10-20 members, others as many as 500. Groups provide a friendly atmosphere for people to meet and talk, find out more about their lung condition, participate in awareness events, campaigning, fundraising and social outings.

To date, Luxfer has donated start-up grants of £250 each for five new groups across the Midlands including Bourne, North Nottingham, Buxton, Newark and Ilkeston. The much-needed funds will enable groups to meet regularly, set up communications networks and invite guest speakers, including healthcare specialists and practitioners.

Vicky Butler, Luxfer’s International Marketing Manager, explained: “People with lung conditions and those who care for them often feel isolated from the outside world. These new ‘Breathe Easy’ groups will help provide much-needed support for members, as well as offering an opportunity for respite and specialist advice.” The British Lung Foundation is the only UK charity working for everyone affected by lung disease. It provides support for people affected by lung disease today and works in a variety of ways (including funding world-class research) to bring about positive change, to improve treatment, care and support for people affected by lung disease in the future. Caroline Johnson, British Lung Foundation Support & Development Manager for the Midlands, said: "People often take breathing for granted until they have a problem, but lung disease can have a huge impact on people’s lives. For those with severe problems, it can be a daily struggle to get out of bed due to shortness of breath, and people can often feel very isolated. Our Breathe Easy groups help to put people in touch with others in a similar position, and they also campaign to improve local services. We welcome these start-up grants from Luxfer; they will help us to support more people affected by and living with lung disease in the Midlands."

The British Lung Foundation provides information via its website www.lunguk.org and telephone helpline: 08458 50 50 20.