Respiratory Achievers' Award Winners

Margaret Bowler - COPD

78-year-old Margaret suffers from a chronic lung disease, yet dedicates her life to helping others breathe better.

Margaret leads the Templeton Respiratory Exercise in Christchurch and is described by her peers as a role model. She lives with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and has been volunteering her time and energy to run this exercise support group since 2018.

Despite feeling unwell at times, Margaret still shows up for the class each week and also organises a monthly lunch for the group.

She has had her own exacerbations with COPD over recent years, yet she continues to be a role model and support to many.

Margaret is described by those who attend her weekly classes as friendly, supportive, motivated, welcoming, dedicated, thoughtful and the “backbone of this place”.

Maddison-Grace Wilson Cody Forbes Award for Courage

Some days it is an achievement for 10-year-old Maddison-Grace Wilson to get from her bed to the couch.

In her short lifetime, the Tauranga girl has had more than 15 surgeries due to complications from her multiple respiratory conditions. But she battles on and celebrates the small wins.

Maddison-Grace, or Maddi as she is known, lives with bronchiectasis, asthma and is geneticallypositive for primary ciliary dyskinesia.

Maddi knows she is sick more than her friends and she knows there are procedures she has to have to help her stay healthy.

“I am brave and I have lots of courage,” she says.

When Maddi grows up, she wants to be a zoo veterinarian.

Her dream trip is to go to Disneyland with her mum and brother and be a princess in the castle.

Anne Webster Respiratory Educator

Anne Webster has dedicated her life to helping others.

For the past 20 years, she has worked as an asthma and respiratory nurse with Tu Kotahi Māori Asthma Trust in Lower Hutt, focusing on educating children and their whānau about asthma.

Her colleagues describe her as one of the most caring nurses, who always goes the extra mile for whānau in her care.

Originally from Gisborne, Anne has spent two decades trying to help tamariki stay well with their asthma. She retired earlier this year.

Anne is an advocate for tamariki – she just wants to see them do well.

“I really feel I have achieved something when tamariki are well, at school and thriving."

Vape-Free Kids NZ Youth Anti-Vaping Champion

A group of passionate mums dedicated to helping families torn apart by the youth vaping epidemic has been recognised for their efforts.

Vape-Free Kids was founded in May 2023 by Marnie Wilton, who noticed the rapid rise in the number of vape shops and was starting to hear of the issues schools were having with students vaping. She then connected with three other mums to form a group to tackle the growing problem.

She was honored to receive this inaugural award.

“It acknowledges the time and effort we, as volunteers, have put in, while also recognising the contributions our members have made, including those who have bravely spoken about the impacts youth vaping has on their families.