Lisburn News

Family's leap of faith raises thousands for asthma charity

Back, left to right: Jenny Devonshire, Katherine Dawson and Michelle Laverty. Centre, left to right: Rhoda Walker, Gillian McAllister, Steven Hanna and Jonathan Gill. Front, left to right: Martina Rydout, Claire Mitten- Bradley and Catherine Griffin.

Deborah Millar (Asthma UK NI Staff), Michelle Laverty, Joan O'Hagan (Managing Director of Asthma UK NI) and Gillian O'Neill (Asthma UK NI Staff).

A LOCAL family have raised almost £6,000 for charity thanks to a little help from their friends.

The Laverty family have been holding a series of events to raise money for Asthma UK NI to thank them for their help with daughter Poppy, who was diagnosed with asthma at a young age.

As well as organising a fundraising evening and bag pack at Sainsbury's, the family and their friends recently took a leap of faith by completing a skydive.

In total they have managed to raise a fantastic £5742 for the charity which offers support to patients and families who suffer with asthma.

This exceeded my expectations and I cannot thank people enough," said Poppy's mother Michelle, who organised the various charity events.

"Poppy isn't well with her asthma at the minute and that makes this all the more important as I know the money will go towards supporting families like us, educate schools and workplaces, aid research and enable more families to attend family days where the whole family can be educated in a fun way."

Michelle continued: "I really would like to say thank you to so many generous people. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the three events, the people who donated their hard earned money, companies who donated prizes and took part in events, the Ulster Star for following our story and highlighting the charity Asthma UK NI and my family who had to put up with me. "We need to highlight Asthma, the illness as well as the charity. People need to be aware that information and help is out there.

"Asthma UK NI are striving to reach as many people as possible but they really need the funds to aid them in this. We cannot break down doors, create new laws or educate people without putting the hard work in first. We have been a small part in this process and we hope to keep on going," she concluded.

julieann.spence@ulsterstar.co.uk

Ulster Star
25/05/2012