Community news

Respiratory Community News

Te Reo Pufferfish show goes online

In May, the Foundation launched its successful online Sailor Digital Classroom in te reo Māori.

The new resource, called Heremana te Kōpūtōtara Mātauranga Huangō, was funded by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori (the Māori Language Commission), and is the latest tool produced by ARFNZ to address asthma inequities for Māori.

The Digital Classroom is an animated online version of the ARFNZ’s live, interactive musical show, Heremana te Kōpūtōtara, which travels the country teaching primary students about asthma, asthma triggers, how to treat asthma and what to do in an asthma emergency, in te reo Māori. The English language version of the digital classroom was launched in October last year.

Asthma education plays a critical role in reducing asthmarelated hospitalisation, and the Foundation hopes that the Classroom will provide kura, kaiako and tamariki across Aotearoa even greater access to free, essential asthma information. Schools can register their interest on the website:

digital.sailorasthmashow.co.nz Foundation sponsors breathe new life into school building

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation, in partnership with a group of generous sponsors, has breathed new life into a damp, cold building at Hutt Valley High School in Lower Hutt.

Toxic mould was found through 16 classrooms at the school last year, prompting the closure and then demolition of these buildings. School management had to juggle finding new learning spaces for students, with some senior students having to study from home and others located in temporary buildings.

After reading about the school’s plight, the Foundation reached out to our sponsors to see if together we could offer some help. Pink Batts, Daikin and RCR Petone all came on board, offering insulation, a new heat pump and an air ventilation system. The school nominated its multi-use sports pavilion to get a makeover.

Over May, contractors revamped the sports pavilion turning it into a healthier space for students by installing a Daikin VAM ventilation system, a heat pump and Pink Batts floor and ceiling insulation.

Hutt Valley High School facilities manager Simon Kydd and RCR Project Supervisor Clinton Duncan

Nick Runs America – he’s off!

Wellington ultra-marathon runner Nick Ashill has returned to the USA and as you read this, he should be well on the way to completing the final leg of his epic coast to coast, fundraising run.

As you might remember from our Autumn 2022 magazine, Nick began the 5,400km run across the USA in 2017 to fundraise for the Foundation and for the UK-based Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust. His run was cut short after he was seriously injured in a hit and run accident. After multiple surgeries and a long recovery, Nick was able to return in late May to finish the run.

You can follow Nick’s progress and contribute to his fundraising efforts at: www.nickrunsamerica.org.nz

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