Asthma Asthma & Respiratory and Respiratory Foundation Foundation | Annual NZReport | Annual 2019 Report 2020
Breathe Better September 2019 The Foundation’s fourth Breathe Better September respiratory awareness month took place in September 2019. The campaign focused on driving New Zealanders to set themselves a ‘Better Breathing Challenge’ to raise funds and awareness for the 700,000 Kiwis who live with a respiratory condition, and encouraged Kiwis to start thinking about how they can improve their own respiratory health. Over the month, we had many challengers sign up to complete a Better Breathing Challenge, including, competing in the Auckland and Whangarei Marathons, setting step challenges, and making a pledge to be active each day. To launch the campaign, the Foundation held a ‘Bubbles for Better Breathing’ event, raising awareness for the Foundation with banners and bubbles during a busy afternoon at Midland Park, Wellington. To engage children in the campaign, Sailor the Pufferfish also made a special visit to Porirua City Library, where he educated 145 enthusiastic children, and their parents about asthma, through an engaging asthma show. During the month, the Foundation also ran a Better Breathing art competition, open to all school-aged children across New Zealand. This year’s theme was ‘Te Hā Ora’, which translates to ‘the breath of life’. Juwairiyah Sahib was our lucky winner, and won a scooter, kindly donated by Micro Scooters. Breathe Better September also provided an opportunity to collaborate with some of our Sensitive Choice® partners. Our friends at Daikin head-office took part in the ‘Daikin Balloon Challenge’, blowing up as many balloons as possible within 30 seconds to raise awareness for asthma and respiratory disease. Another of our Sensitive Choice® partners, Clean Planet, also got involved, challenging their team to a series of Better Breathing Challenges to improve lung health and fitness throughout the month. Harvey Norman also participated again, with their annual ‘Sleeptember’ campaign, donating a portion of sales from their bedding department to the Foundation. On top of this, Harvey Norman also ran a charity auction for a brand new King Koil Bed and bedding set, with all proceeds going towards Breathe Better September. Overall, a combined total of $10,902 was raised throughout Breathe Better September 2019, which we hope to double next year!
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Top and middle: Bubbles for Better Breathing’ launch event Bottom: Excited children at the Sailor the Pufferfish Breathe Better September event
