He thought when he got home he’d be fine, but that didn’t happen that day

Our supporter Gemma ran the London Marathon this year for Asthma + Lung UK. She ran in memory of her brother, Grant, who passed away from an asthma attack. She ran alongside Grant’s lifelong friends, Kim and Andy.

Gemma, Asthma + Lung UK supporter
Published 6th December 2024

Grant was a happy, kind and friendly soul. He passed away three years ago after an asthma attack.

He was diagnosed with asthma as a young child and was hospitalised twice but ended in Accident and Emergency numerous times, using a nebuliser to help stabilise his breathing. As a teenager, Grant played sports and managed his lung condition well.

After a day out in Blackpool with his son and pregnant fiancé, Grant got increasingly wheezy as the day went on. He thought when he got home that he’d be fine, but that didn’t happen that day.

Three smiling people dressed in formal attire hold glasses of champagne at an outdoor event, with a green garden in the background

Raising awareness of looking after your asthma

He didn’t have an asthma action plan and didn’t have regular reviews with a respiratory nurse or his GP. Asthma reviews are just as important when you are an adult, not just as a child.

I want to raise awareness of the importance of making sure that you take your prescribed medication if you have a lung condition. As an adult, Grant was sometimes complacent when it came to taking his steroid inhaler every day as prescribed and keeping his reliever inhaler with him at all times.

Celebrating Grant’s life

One year on from Grant’s passing, Kim organised a festival at the cricket club to celebrate Grant’s life. With the help of Grant’s friends, we raised £7,000 for Asthma + Lung UK. I also took part in a triathlon event and raised £2,000.

The marathon was a very special day for us. Thirty friends and family came down from Bolton and Ireland to support us. He was so loved by everyone and I just wish he was here to see his beautiful son and daughter grow up.

Fundraising in someone’s name is a special way to honour their memory. If you're interested in arranging a fundraiser to remember your loved one, we have lots of options. From marathons to bake sales, and everything in between. 

You may also like

Four people in warm clothing stand together on a sandy beach at sunset, with gentle waves in the background
Your stories

I’ll make Matt proud - running the London Marathon for my brother

Our supporter Mia ran the London Marathon this year for Asthma + Lung UK in memory of her brother, Matthew, who passed away from an asthma attack. Here she tells us why she chose to take on the challenge.
Three smiling people pose at a formal event, with a man in a suit and tie, a woman in a blue dress, and another man in a white patterned waistcoat, against a backdrop of string lights
Your stories

He would have thought I was bonkers: running in memory of my uncle Keith

Liam’s uncle, Keith, sadly passed away from Pulmonary Fibrosis in January 2023. Liam ran the Manchester 10k earlier this year in Keith’s memory and fundraised for Asthma + Lung UK.
Katie is wearing an Asthma + Lung UK running vest and stood on a podium with her medal
Your stories

Taking on a challenge in memory of our loved ones

We're always so grateful to all of our supporters who take on a challenge to fundraise for us. Here are Katie's, Stephen's and Jonathan's stories, just a few of our amazing fundraisers this year.