Annual Report 2018 to 2019
BREATHE EASY FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES
Mrs Dorcas Akeju, OBE-Chair, Mr Claudius Akeju-Secretary, Dr Joseph Garr-Treasurer, Mr Isaac Adewusi, Mr Koleola Akeju, Mrs Patricia Thomas, Mr Alfred Abbey, Patron ~ Dame Lorna Muirhead
Short Background:
The Foundation has been involved in raising awareness of Asthma on the World Asthma Days (Every May 2nd of the year). Annually it sends trustees to Nigeria to work with our partners in raising awareness and distributing inhalers, peak flows and nebulizers at two Teaching Hospitals, health centres , churches and to community groups. It hass produced leaflets in English and Yoruba which is one of the main languages in Nigeria
Bank Details: Barclays Bank, Allerton Rd Branch, Liverpool L18
BREATHE EASY FOUNDATION-ANNUAL REPORT
2018-2019
The Trustees have been very busy again this year trying to raise the awareness of Asthma and Allergies. Asthma remains a killer in the United Kingdom as well as in Nigeria and the Foundation continues in campaigning about using the right inhalers and people with the problem to see their doctors regularly for checkups.
The trustees met quarterly to discuss activities of the organisation.
ACTIVITIES WITH PARTNERS IN NIGERIA:
We travelled to Nigeria on the 16th of January and started the charity work on the 21st of January. We were invited to come and speak at a seminar to a group of Paediatricians responsible for children’s department of Asthma and Chest diseases. I explained about our organisation‘s vision and mission, and our support for the adult department since 2016.
On the 22nd of January, we went to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife (OAUTH) to meet our partners, team of Doctors and the patients. We used the opportunity to catch up on different type of inhalers available in Nigeria and difficulty in getting them. Two Nebulizers, Ventolin Inhalers and Peak flows were presented to them. We specifically advised that the nebulizers should be given to the Emergency Departments.
MET DOCTORS AND PATIENTS AT OUR VISIT TO OAUTH HOSPITAL
We also made some donation of Ventolin Inhalers to the Asthma and Chest Care Foundation (ACCF) Centre which is an NGO and based within the vicinity of a church. Services are offered to patients with Asthma and other Chest condition at a very low price.
On the 30th of January, we travelled to University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan to join the Asthma Patients’ Club. The Asthma club at OAU consists of approximately 80 patients supporting one another. The patients were delighted to see us and started to pray for us. The Matron first gave health talk on the use of different inhalers and peak flows. She demonstrated the importance of using their preventive inhalers. She reiterated the issue
of keeping their ventolin inhalers where they can easily reach them in case of Asthmatic attacks. This is a unique club which meets monthly to support and encourage one another. We then presented two Nebulizers to the Department plus many ventolin inhalers and peak flows. These were then given to the patients. We also distributed our information leaflet and promotional materials. (see photos)
CHAIR SHOWING NEBULIZER
INHALERS, PEAKFLOWS AND NEBULISERS
PHOTO TAKEN AT THE UCH –ASTHMA PATIENTS’ CLUB
We were informed about the use of Seretide and its cost, Hyvoler and the Department requested the organisation to get some for them. We did look into this before we came back but the batch the Chemist has got would expire March 2019 so we left money with our Volunteer to get some later for the World Asthma Day -2nd of May 2019.
On the 1st of February we went to the Academy Hospital and Maternity Centre to meet the Director and the staff and make donations of inhalers, unfortunately the Director had been called to an emergency. Academy Hospital is based within a shopping centre. Unfortunately we could not go back there but our volunteer did go there on the 15th of March to make the donation (see photo)
STAFF AT THE ACADEMY HOSPITAL
She also made donation to a local church which runs its own Health and Well-Being Clinic with volunteer doctors (see photo)
PART OF THE CONGREGATION AT THE RESTORATION CHAPEL RECEIVING THE INHALERS DONATION AND INFORMATION LEAFLET.
We had letters of appreciation from UCH, OAUTH, Academy Hospital and Maternity
Although it was a very tiring three weeks but we do believe if the Foundation can save few lives through its work all our efforts will worth it. Our special thanks to our donors for making it possible to have inhalers, peak flows, nebulizers and other materials for the patients.
WORLD ASTHMA DAY-2019:
The World Asthma Day is celebrated throughout the World and an opportunity to raise awareness about asthma and allergies. On the 2nd of May 2019, the Foundation had the opportunity to speak to a group of Elders at the Alive Believer Centre about the signs and symptoms of Asthma and how it could be prevented. The correct use of inhaler was demonstrated by one of our Trustees who is also a sufferer. This led to a lengthy debate about having asthma attacks and how to prevent the attacks.
On Sunday the 5th of May the Pastors of the Alive Believer Church invited the Foundation to come and also speak to their congregation as that Sunday happened to be the Sunday on which health issues were being discussed. This was another opportunity to raise awareness about asthma. The congregation was quite diverse and of different ages. A couple of the members are asthmatic and a mother told us that her little boy was on admission because of his asthma.
AT THE ALIVE BELIEVER CENTRE
Asthma and Allergy Awareness Raising at the St James’s Health Centre:
FUND RAISING AT ST JAMES’S HEALTH CENTRE:
In June Dr Chatwin who is GP to the Akeju’s family informed the Chair about his intention as he wants to join the Foundation in its campaign and also raise money for Foundation and set himself to swim in the Lake Windermere without a wetsuit. The Chair with the help of her daughter in law set up a “justgiving page” and sponsorship form was designed by the Manager of the Surgery. On the 27th of August 2019 two trustees went to the Lake District to support him. We prayed for his safety as it was a very cold and raining day. He did the 10.5miles in 5 hours 30 mins and raised a total £1593.36P (Commission inclusive) more than his target of £1000. Thanks to everyone who supported morally and financially. Our special thanks to him, his wife, family (his uncle and auntie) who joined us at the Lake District and St James’ Health Centre Manager (Maria) staff and patients.
DR CHATWIN WITH MR AND MRS AKEJU
DR CHATWIN COMING OUT OF FREEZING WATER
WHAT A BRAVE MAN!!!!!
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2018-2019:
In 2018-2019, our partnership with our partners has become very stronger and we have been able to reach more community groups and individuals; raising awareness about asthma and allergies. We have been able to raise more funding to further achieve the Foundation objectives. Our Chair attended a workshop in London for charities working in high risk areas internationally.
FUTURE PLANS:
The Trustees at their last meeting in February has started to plan for fund raising activities and our Fund Raising Trustee is taking the lead on the activities. The plan this year is for two trustees to go to Nigeria and work with our partners at the University College Hospital, Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife to hold big events in Nigeria to raise awareness about Asthma and allergies. We are planning a “Walk for Asthma” at Ile -Ife involving local school children and the public. This will be followed by educational conference for Health and Allied professionals with experienced speakers from both Hospitals. Donation of nebulizers, peak flows and inhalers to patients who cannot afford to pay for their prescription.
Our sincere thanks to our Patron and her husband for their encouragements and financial support, to the trustees for their hard work all year round, Dr Chatwin for taking BEF as his charity, our family members, friends, and Bridge Chapel congregation especially the ladies’ Growth Group. A special thanks to Mrs. Thomas for her support and looking after the collection box at the Euro Chemist; also shops such as Dress Sense and New Image Hair Saloon (Kensington, Liverpool) which have been helping with our collection boxes. May God continue to bless you all. Above all we thank God Almighty for this work.
Mrs Dorcas O. Akeju, OBE
Chair
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