Somerset Farmers raise £2,000 for Breathability Charity
The Somerset Farmers Lodge raised £2000 which enabled them to buy essential equipment for the Breathability charity.
This organisation supports people with lung and breathing problems with a medically approved exercise class, which is all run by volunteers.
The pictures show the equipment and the people involved.
W.Bro.Norman Crang WM 2nd right, on his right Mrs. Anne Warnes who assisted him with catering for the fund raising events.
Charity Steward Nick Male 2nd left. The other ladies are Jenny Woolmington(Chairman) and Pauline Rendell (Treasurer) of Breathability, and far right, Amanda Davies, daughter of Norman Crang who assisted in organising the fundraising.
Report by David Burke
LIO
Breathability is a charity, established in 2004, that aids people with breathing and lung problems. The group aims to help sufferers lead as full a life as possible and provide social activities.
The group was set up by a local doctor who identified a gap in provision for suffers of breathing problems. Patients can attend exercise sessions run by the NHS but these only last six weeks and many people will have to live with their condition for the rest of their lives.
Members are referred to Breathability by hospitals and the C.O.P.D service after they have completed the short course offered by the NHS. Local doctors and surgeries also refer patients.
The group has approximately sixty members between the ages of 26 and over 60. Approximately fifty of these have a disability.
The group run exercise classes for sufferers to help improve their fitness levels and increase their confidence in coping with their disease or disability. The group also provides long term support and advice.
The group charges £2 per session for the exercise classes but require extra funding to cover the cost of hiring the hall and also to replace pieces of old equipment. The hall hire is expensive for the group, as they additionally require storage facilities for all the exercise equipment.
The service provided by Breathability is supported by the Respiratory Department and members have recorded startling improvements due to the regular exercise. Recently, a patient joined the group on permanent oxygen in a wheelchair and after twelve months was able to walk unaided and only using oxygen occasionally.
