11 miles, 11 weeks of training

Please read why the work that Asthma and Lung UK is important and why it matters

•       1 Children dies from an asthma attack every 4 weeks in the UK.

•       77 thousand people a year die of a lung condition in the UK. That’s 1 person every 7 minutes

•       1 in 5 people in the UK will develop a lung condition during their lifetimes

•       Lung Conditions is the 3^rd biggest killer in the UK

•       1.7 million people are admitted into hospital every year with breathing issues

•       Around 12 million people in the UK are living with a lung condition

•       Every minute, someone in the UK is diagnosed with a lung condition

•       Many lung diseases are preventable or treatable if they are diagnosed early and managed effectively

•       The risk of ending up in A&E doubles during winter if you have a lung condition.

•       Hospital admissions for lung conditions increase by 114% in winter compared with summer.

Why Asthma and Lung Conditions Matter

•       Over 12 million people in the UK live with a lung condition

•       Asthma affects people of all ages and can significantly impact daily life, education, and employment.

•       Lung conditions are a leading cause of hospital admissions and place considerable pressure on NHS services.

•       Poor air quality and environmental factors continue to affect lung health across the UK.

•       Many people living with lung conditions face ongoing physical, emotional, and financial challenges.

•       Funding research, support services, and awareness campaigns helps improve lives and save lives.

About Asthma + Lung UK The Charity

•       Asthma + Lung UK is the UK's leading charity dedicated to supporting people with lung conditions, including asthma, COPD, and lung cancer.

•       The charity was formed through the merger of Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation and now supports millions of people across the United Kingdom.

Their mission:

•       Improve lung health across the UK

•       Support those living with lung conditions

•       Fund vital research

•       Campaign for cleaner air and better healthcare

Respiratory disease is one of the UK's biggest health challenges. Millions of people live with asthma or chronic lung conditions, and respiratory diseases remain one of the leading causes of illness and death. Despite this significant burden, respiratory research has historically received considerably less charitable funding and is critically unfunded. 

💙 I'm asking for your help 💙

Please donate: http://join.asthmaandlung.org.uk/fundraisers/SueVoyse

In 2027, I'll be taking on the biggest challenge of my life – running the London Marathon for Asthma + Lung UK.

This isn't just another marathon for me. I'm running in memory of my amazing mum, who sadly lost her life to COPD. Watching someone you love struggle to breathe is something I wouldn't wish on anyone, and losing her has left a hole in my heart that will never be filled.

Every mile I run will be for her. Every step will remind me why I'm doing this.

Asthma + Lung UK supports people living with lung conditions, funds life-changing research, and works to improve the lives of families facing illnesses like COPD.

If my mum's story touches you, I'd be so grateful if you could support my fundraiser. Whether it's £2, £5, or £10, every donation makes a real difference. And if you're not able to donate, simply sharing this post could help it reach someone who can.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and thank you to everyone who supports me on this journey. ❤️

 #LondonMarathon2027 #AsthmaAndLungUK #COPDAwareness #RunningForMum #InMemory #Fundraising

Another Heatwave - What does that mean for people who are living with Asthma and Lung Conditions

As temperatures soar once again, many of us are looking for ways to stay cool. But for the millions of people living with asthma and other lung conditions, a heatwave can be much more than just uncomfortable – it can make breathing significantly harder.

Heat alone isn't always the problem. It's often the combination of high temperatures, poor air quality, pollen and dehydration that can trigger symptoms and increase the risk of flare-ups.

Why heatwaves affect our lungs

Hot, dry air can irritate your airways
Breathing in hot air may cause your airways to become inflamed and narrow, leading to coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and increased breathlessness.

Air pollution rises during hot weather
Heatwaves often bring higher levels of air pollution, particularly ground-level ozone. This invisible pollutant is a well-known trigger for asthma symptoms and can also worsen other chronic lung conditions.

Pollen and mould levels may increase
Warm weather can prolong the pollen season, while thunderstorms followed by humid conditions can encourage mould growth. Both can trigger asthma attacks and make breathing more difficult for those with allergies and lung disease.

Dehydration affects your airways
When you're dehydrated, mucus can become thicker and stickier, making it more difficult to clear your lungs and increasing the feeling of breathlessness.

Your body has to work harder
During extreme heat, your body puts extra effort into keeping cool. This places additional strain on both your heart and lungs, which can leave you feeling more tired and short of breath than usual.

How to protect yourself during a heatwave

• Stay indoors during the hottest part of the day, usually between 11am and 3pm.
• Keep your home as cool as possible by closing curtains or blinds during the day and opening windows when temperatures fall in the evening, provided outdoor air quality is good.
• Drink plenty of water unless your healthcare professional has advised you to limit your fluid intake.
• Continue taking your preventer inhaler and any other prescribed medication exactly as directed.
• Always carry your reliever inhaler and avoid leaving it in direct sunlight or inside a hot car.
• Check local air quality and pollen forecasts before heading outdoors.
• If you do need to go outside, aim for the early morning or later in the evening when it's cooler.

Know the warning signs

Seek urgent medical advice if:

• Your reliever inhaler isn't working as well as usual or you're needing it much more frequently.
• You're becoming increasingly breathless or finding it difficult to speak in full sentences.
• You develop severe chest tightness or your symptoms are getting worse quickly.
• Your lips or fingertips appear blue or grey.

If you're having severe difficulty breathing or your asthma attack isn't improving after following your asthma action plan and using your reliever inhaler, call 999 immediately.

Stay one step ahead

Heatwaves are becoming more common across the UK, so it's important to treat very hot weather as another asthma or lung condition trigger. Planning ahead, staying hydrated, keeping cool and monitoring your symptoms can help you stay safe.

Most importantly, don't ignore worsening symptoms. Acting early can prevent a minor flare-up from becoming a medical emergency.

Take care of yourself, check in on family, friends and neighbours who may also be living with lung conditions, and remember—looking after your lungs is just as important in summer as it is in winter.

Where does your money go?

We Can't Keep Taking Our Breath for Granted

Why Lung Health Deserves Better

Every breath we take is automatic. We rarely think about our lungs—until they stop working as they should.

Yet lung disease is one of the UK's biggest health challenges, affecting millions of people every year. Despite its enormous impact on individuals, families, and the NHS, lung health remains one of the most overlooked and underfunded areas of healthcare and research.

A Hidden Health Crisis

The statistics are impossible to ignore.

• Around 1.5 million people in the UK will experience a lung condition during their lifetime.
• More than one million people are admitted to hospital each year because of lung disease.

Behind every one of these numbers is a person struggling to breathe, a family living with uncertainty, or someone whose everyday activities have become exhausting.

Lung conditions affect people of all ages—from children living with asthma to adults diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, and many other respiratory illnesses.

Asthma Is More Than "Just Wheezing"

Asthma is often misunderstood as a condition that can simply be managed with an inhaler. While many people live well with asthma, it can also be unpredictable and life-threatening.

An asthma attack can happen suddenly, leaving someone fighting for every breath. For many people, asthma affects school, work, exercise, sleep, and mental wellbeing. It is a condition that demands ongoing care, education, and access to the right treatment.

No one should underestimate the impact asthma can have on a person's life.

The Cost of Lung Disease

Lung disease places enormous pressure on the NHS.

With over one million hospital admissions every year, respiratory illnesses account for a significant proportion of emergency care. Many of these admissions could potentially be prevented through earlier diagnosis, better access to specialist care, improved rehabilitation services, and greater public awareness.

Investing in prevention is not only better for patients—it also reduces pressure on hospitals and healthcare services.

Why Funding Matters

Despite the scale of the problem, respiratory health has historically received less attention and funding than many other major diseases.

This is where Asthma + Lung UK plays such an important role.

The charity supports people living with lung conditions through trusted information, advice, support services, campaigning, and research. It works tirelessly to improve diagnosis, treatment, and care while giving a voice to the millions of people living with respiratory disease.

However, the demand for its services continues to grow, while funding remains under significant pressure.

Without adequate investment, progress in research, patient support, and public awareness risks slowing at a time when it is needed most.

Every Breath Matters

Breathing should never be something we have to fight for.

Millions of people across the UK live every day with conditions that make even simple tasks feel overwhelming. They deserve faster diagnosis, better treatments, stronger support services, and greater investment in research that could transform lives.

Lung health affects us all. Whether it's a child with asthma, a parent living with COPD, or a grandparent recovering from pneumonia, respiratory disease touches almost every family at some point.

It's time lung health received the attention it deserves.

Because when 1.5 million people will experience a lung condition in their lifetime, and over one million people are hospitalised every year, we can no longer afford to treat respiratory disease as an afterthought.

Every breath matters—and so do the people fighting for theirs.

Every donation helps

1 in 5 people in the UK will develop a lung condition during their lifetime. Yet despite affecting millions, lung health research remains critically underfunded.

We need your support to help change that.

By making a monthly donation, you'll help fund life-changing research that brings us closer to better treatments, improved care, and, ultimately, cures for people living with lung conditions.

Your monthly gift could make a real difference:

• £3 a month could help someone join one of our specialist online support sessions, such as mindfulness, giving them the tools to manage their physical and mental wellbeing from home.
• £8 a month could enable someone living with a lung condition to take part in a research project panel, ensuring research is shaped by the experiences and needs of patients.
• £12 a month could cover the travel costs for someone taking part in a clinical trial, helping them access pioneering treatments that could transform lives.

Together, we can give hope to the millions of people affected by lung conditions and help build a future where everyone can breathe more easily.

My amazing mum

My mum meant the world to me. She was an amazing woman—kind, loving, incredibly wise, and always there with the right advice. She was the heart of our family, and I miss her every single day.

My mum lived with COPD, and watching someone so strong struggle to breathe was incredibly difficult. It showed me just how cruel lung disease can be and how it affects not only the person living with it but everyone who loves them.

That's why I'm running the London Marathon for Asthma + Lung UK. I'm doing it in memory of my mum and to help raise money for vital research, support, and care for people living with lung conditions. I hope that one day, fewer families will have to go through what ours did.

Every mile I run is for my mum—for her strength, her courage, her wisdom, and the love she gave so freely. She inspired me every day, and I hope I can make her proud.

Thank you so much for your support, encouragement, and any donation you can make. It truly means the world to me, and together we can help make a difference in memory of an incredible woman.

How Heatwaves Affect People with Asthma and Lung Conditions

In this blog, I look at how heatwaves can have a serious impact on people living with asthma and other lung conditions, and why it is so important to stay safe during periods of extreme heat.

Heatwaves are becoming more common, and while many people may enjoy the warm weather, high temperatures can create serious health risks for those with breathing difficulties. Hot weather can make it harder to breathe, worsen symptoms, and increase the risk of asthma attacks.

Why heat affects breathing

During a heatwave, the air can become warmer, drier, and sometimes more polluted. These conditions can irritate the airways, making it harder for people with asthma or other lung conditions such as COPD to breathe comfortably.

High temperatures can also increase levels of air pollution and pollen, both of which are known triggers for asthma symptoms. This combination can lead to coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

In some cases, the body also has to work harder to cool itself down in extreme heat, which can place extra strain on the heart and lungs.

Who is most at risk?

Heatwaves can affect anyone, but people most at risk include:

• People living with asthma
• People with chronic lung conditions such as COPD
• Older adults
• Young children
• People with heart conditions

These groups may find it more difficult to regulate their breathing or cope with dehydration and heat stress.

Why staying safe is important

During a heatwave, it is important for people with lung conditions to take extra care. Simple steps can make a big difference in staying well and avoiding flare-ups.

Some key safety tips include:

• Staying indoors during the hottest part of the day
• Keeping windows closed when outdoor air is hotter than inside
• Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated
• Using prescribed inhalers as directed
• Avoiding strenuous activity in extreme heat
• Keeping rooms cool using fans or shade where possible

It is also important to monitor weather forecasts and air quality updates so you can plan ahead.

Final thoughts

Heatwaves can be more than just uncomfortable—they can be dangerous for people with asthma and other lung conditions. By understanding the risks and taking simple precautions, it is possible to reduce the impact of extreme heat and stay as safe as possible.

Raising awareness of how heat affects breathing conditions is important, especially as extreme weather becomes more frequent. Supporting organisations like Asthma + Lung UK helps improve research, treatment, and support for people living with these conditions every day.

Every Step is for a Reason

When people ask how my marathon training is going, I usually smile and say, "It's going well!" But behind those few words is a lot of hard work, determination, and a reminder of why I'm doing this in the first place.

I'm currently training five days a week, and every session has a purpose.

Three days are dedicated to running:

• One long run of around 9 miles, building the endurance I'll need on marathon day.
• One medium run of 5 to 7 miles, helping improve both stamina and pace.
• One shorter run of 2 to 3 miles, focusing on recovery and maintaining consistency.

Running is only part of the journey. I'm also attending my personal training sessions, where I work on strength, conditioning, and overall fitness. Alongside that, I'm committed to core and strength training, which is helping me become stronger, reduce the risk of injury, and keep my body ready for the miles ahead.

Today was a milestone I was really proud of—I increased my weights to 10kg. It might seem like a small achievement to some, but for me it's another sign that I'm getting stronger, both physically and mentally.

There are days when training is tough. Some runs feel harder than others, and fitting everything around everyday life can be challenging. But whenever motivation dips, I remind myself why I started this journey.

I'm fundraising for Asthma + Lung UK, a charity that supports people living with lung conditions and funds vital research to improve lives. Knowing that every mile I run and every training session I complete is helping raise awareness and support this incredible cause keeps me going.

Every run, every weight lifted, every early morning and every sore muscle is bringing me one step closer to my goal—not just crossing the finish line, but making a difference.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far, whether through donations, encouragement, or simply asking how the training is going. Your support means more than you know, and it keeps me moving forward.

The miles are adding up, the strength is building, and I'm excited to see what the coming weeks will bring.

One step at a time, one mile at a time, all for Asthma + Lung UK.

In memory of my mum

I'm fundraising for Asthma + Lung UK in memory of my mum, who lived with COPD.

Watching someone you love struggle with a lung condition shows just how important every breath is. COPD affects millions of people and can make everyday activities incredibly challenging. So many people faces challenges and there  strength and courage, has  inspired me to support a charity that works tirelessly to help people who are affected by lung disease.

Asthma + Lung UK provides vital support for people living with respiratory conditions, funds life-changing research, and campaigns for better lung health across the UK. Their work gives hope to individuals and families facing the realities of lung disease every day.

This fundraiser is my way of honouring my mum's memory while helping others who are living with conditions like COPD, asthma, and other lung diseases.

Any donation, big or small, will be greatly appreciated and will help support the charity's important work. If you're unable to donate, sharing this page would also mean a great deal.

Thank you for your kindness, support, and for helping me remember my mum in such a positive way.

Every contribution helps make a difference, and every breath matters.