Breathe Better September

Step up this September to help Kiwis breathe easier

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of asthma in the world, with 1 in 7 children and 1 in 8 adults living with the condition. That’s why each year, the Foundation runs Breathe Better September, our appeal month which offers a fun way to help raise the national profile of respiratory health in New Zealand and encourage better breathing.

Last year was a huge success, with almost 70 people taking part and raising over $20,000 for the Foundation. This year, we’ve broken last year’s record and have over 200 heroes signed up to make a difference.

“This year is looking bigger and better than ever,” says Foundation Chief Executive Letitia Harding. “There has been a surge in registrations since New Zealand went into lockdown, and while the lockdown might present a challenge for some activities, runs and walks in your local area are a great way to stay fit and raise funds at the same time.

“It’s always great to see communities and local businesses get involved and support the Foundation,” adds Letitia. “So many people have been touched by asthma and other respiratory diseases, and it’s wonderful that they want to give back and to make a difference for fellow Kiwis who are struggling.”

The money raised contributes to the work the Foundation does to support the 700,000 Kiwis living with asthma and other respiratory diseases. The Foundation supports health professionals to help people living with these conditions, and educates and advocates for better respiratory health outcomes for all New Zealanders. The Foundation team have set their own Better Breathing team challenge: walking 700,000 steps over the course of September. for the 700,000 Kiwis with respiratory disease.

Sign up today!

It’s fun, it’s simple, and the money raised makes a real difference for Kiwis with asthma and other respiratory conditions. What’s more, there are some great prizes to be won, kindly donated by our Friends of the Foundation.

You can sign up to complete a Better Breathing Challenge as an individual, family, or a team, with schools and workplaces encouraged to take part too.

Just want to donate?

If the Challenge isn’t for you, you can always just make a donation. Any donation of $5 or more puts you in the draw to win a prize.

Kids Art Competition

As part of Breathe Better September, we are also running a kids art competition. The theme is “What a healthy home looks like to you” and is proudly sponosred by Micro Scooters. There are three age brackets for entry; 5 years and under, 6-8 years and 9-13 years.

Each category winner will receive a Micro Scooter and have their artwork featured in the next issue of our magazine. You can see the details at breathebetterseptember.co.nz/ artcompetition

Be in to win

Our friends have kindly donated some awesome prizes for us to give away! These include a Rinnai Heat Pump and installation, a Daikin Air Purifier, a month’s free power from Pulse Energy and a SmartVent home ventilation system!

To find out more, sign up or donate, visit breathebetterseptember.co.nz

Featured Fundraisers

Nick Ashill

We’re delighted that Victoria University Marketing Professor and ultra-marathon runner Nick is taking part in Breathe Better September! Putting his running prowess to good use, Nick will be completing a 24-hour running challenge.

“My challenge is to run for 24 hours non-stop around Wellington city,” says Nick. “The run will start at 9am on Friday 24th September and finish at 9am on Saturday 25th September. People can join me on the day or throughout the night, and follow me on Strava.” Keep an eye on the Foundation’s social media for more details on Nick’s epic Breathe Better challenge.

Victoria Wilson

Victoria has set herself the goal of walking 10,000 steps a day throughout the month of September. “While it might not sound a lot, when I’m sitting with my daughter in hospital and looking after her while she’s sick, it’s hard to find the opportunity to go out walking,” says Victoria.

Victoria’s daughter Maddi, 7, has chronic suppurative lung disease and asthma, and is regularly in hospital. She recently contracted RSV while in hospital for another issue, and it developed into pneumonia and pleurisy. When Maddi is feeling well, she enjoys gymnastics, netball, and running around with her friends like any seven-year-old, but it does take a lot out of her.

“She struggles with things many of us take for granted, like climbing flights of steps,” says Victoria. “Some days 100 steps are too much for her, let alone 10,000, so I want to put in the effort to raise money for others living with this condition. People often underestimate asthma and its seriousness. I see Maddi’s asthma attacks, and I wish everyone understood more how serious it is.”

Aimee’s Better Breathing Challenge:

Aimee is planning to walk an average of 10,000 steps each day over the course of the month and encourage other people to join her. She has had asthma all her life, but says that as well as being her biggest struggle, it is also what makes her strong.

“I’m a gym owner and live, BREATHE, walk and talk fitness to my clients,” says Aimee. “The importance of being fit and healthy is an investment we should all put at the top of our list - if you’re working around a life-threatening issue even more so. It truly makes you appreciate the simplest things in life when you’ve struggled to breathe before.

Mike’s Better Breathing Challenge:

After raising a cool $1,000 for last year’s Breathe Better September, Mike Anderson is setting himself another challenge this year with the aim of raising even more. He’ll be rowing 50km over the month and blogging about his progress.

Mike has lived with asthma his whole Iife, and is now a father to two lovely young boys. He says “asthma affects so many of our young kids and adults, and the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation do amazing mahi in working towards improving outcomes for everyone affected. There’s still plenty of work to do, especially around finding out why so many Kiwi kids have the condition.”