Asthma and Respiratory Foundation
For immediate use
20 March, 2008
Balloon Day launch: enjoy the gorgeous glow and spare a thought for kids with asthma
“Beautiful, multi-coloured hot air balloons aglow at dusk, looking glorious. This promises to be one of the highlights
of Easter weekend’s Lift Off Balloon Fiesta at the Levin Showgrounds, says Asthma and Respiratory Foundation Executive
Director, Jane Patterson.
The Foundation will be promoting awareness of asthma at the fiesta, and collecting money to support child asthma
research. The fiesta work launches Balloon Day, the Foundation’s asthma awareness and fundraising campaign.
“On Saturday evening, weather permitting a number of balloons at the Showgrounds will fire up their burners and the glow
should be visible for miles.”
“We hope everyone will have a great time and we ask that people, while they are out there enjoying themselves, spare a
thought for New Zealanders who live with asthma. Our Balloon Day campaign has started. We’re working hard to raise
awareness of how asthma affects New Zealanders. One in four of our kids have it, asthma is the most common reason for
hospital admissions among our children and asthma costs New Zealand taxpayers over a billion dollars each year.” Jane
says.
“We’ve got the second highest rate of asthma in the world, after the UK and we need to do more to diagnose and treat
asthma better and provide a voice and better services for New Zealanders with asthma.”
“Our special hot air balloon, Puff, will be at the fiesta, for people to have a look at and to raise awareness around
some very important issues.”
If people cannot make it to the fiesta and want to support the Foundation’s Balloon day campaign they can text BREATHE
to 3979 to donate $3 or phone 0900 4 ASTHMA (0900 278462) to donate $20.
ENDS