We lost my dad, Mike, to the lung condition bronchiectasis, which most people have never heard of. Dad was a successful journalist – and a keen Morris dancer – and he loved Christmas. That’s why I decided to organise a festive performance with my choir, The Adam Street Singers to raise money in his memory.
We need to urgently raise awareness
My dad suffered with severe asthma and regular lung infections most of his life but there was little awareness of the challenges he faced. When he had a heart attack a couple of years before he died, he got the best care in the world, but his lung conditions were never treated with the same urgency.
It was a bittersweet experience
I love fun events like this but the experience was bittersweet for me, especially when we sang Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, which was my dad’s favourite festive song. He would have loved taking part in the festivities.
We desperately need more funds to invest into respiratory research to find better treatments for people with lung conditions, and that’s why I wanted to sing with all my might to raise money for Asthma + Lung UK.
Thank you to everyone who donated
Our Christmas sing raised over £300 in just one hour for Asthma + Lung UK, as well as much-needed awareness of lung conditions. The festive performance brought commuters together, with many stopping to listen, sing along, and donate. A huge thank you to everyone who donated and supported the choir.
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