How the next generation are fighting for lung health by becoming Clean Air Champions!

The fantastic pupils at Commonswood Primary School have been learning all about clean air this year and how important it is for safe breathing and keeping our lungs healthy. In this blog, Natasha from our Community Fundraising team explains how the school have been getting involved with our work.

Natasha Furmidge
Published 16th June 2022

Learning more about asthma

This week, we visited Commonswood Primary School to talk in their assembly about asthma – what it is, how to manage your asthma day-to-day and how to be a good friend to someone with asthma. The pupils wowed us with their knowledge. After the whole school assembly, Year 6 classes took part in an asthma workshop with Deborah, one of our brilliant Helpline Respiratory Nurses. They identified where they might find asthma triggers at home and shared their excellent ideas.

Becoming Clean Air change-makers

The School Council at Commonswood are completing the Clean Air Champions scheme, our new programme for students to become ambassadors for clean air. They’ve put on assemblies all about clean air, written a letter to their local MP as a school, and are completing a ‘walk to school week’ right now.

A woman speaking in a classroom

Showcasing their artistic skills too!

As well as all their clean air activities, pupils have been designing Asthma + Lung UK mascots for their school-wide competition. They have done a brilliant job. Here’s a few of our favourites!

Inhaler drawings

We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Commonswood Primary for your amazing hard work and support – you’re superstars! 

Interested in having a session like this for your school or taking part in the Clean Air Champions scheme? Email us at community@asthmaandlung.org.uk to let us know!

You may also like

A group of schoolchildren and two adults hold up their drawings while standing in front of a screen displaying an Asthma + Lung UK logo
Campaigning

The next generation of clean air changemakers

At the start of this school year, in September 2022, we launched our pilot project to teach pupils in London schools about the dangers of air pollution. Project lead, Amy talks us through the project and what we’ve achieved in our first year.
A sign marking an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) stands in front of modern apartment buildings with glass balconies
Campaigning

ULEZ: Protecting future generations from toxic air

Today, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expands to cover the whole of Greater London, protecting millions of Londoners from toxic air. This milestone follows the tireless work of thousands of campaigners calling for cleaner air. Olivia, in our clean air team explains the impact the expansion will have on our children who are currently breathing in dangerous levels of air pollution. Plus how we’re helping to raise awareness of air quality around London schools.
A young man in a pink hoodie stands next to a woman in a white blazer, both smiling beside a large portrait of him displayed on an easel in a wood-panelled room
Campaigning

Maksim fights for his right to breathe clean air

Maksim has asthma and was only nine years old when he first started campaigning for every child’s right to breathe clean air. He first got involved when his mum Julia helped to launch a successful battle to prevent the local council from building a car park next to his primary school in Manchester City Centre. Maksim, now 14, has become one of Asthma + Lung UK’s most dedicated campaigners for clean air since then. Here he tells us about his journey to joining the fight for clean air.