Report from Trish Ireland

On Monday, members of the West Lancashire and Southport Breathe Easy Group - the local branch of the British Lung Foundation charity - met to hold their AGM and celebrate their 15th anniversary.



Joining our group of committee and members for the meeting were two representatives from the BLF, Petra McCauley, Volunteer Manager for BE groups around the country, and Lisa Williams, from the BLF Project Development Executive. We were also delighted to welcome Roger Blaxall, of QLocal Ormskirk and Southport community news websites, who’s always been very supportive of our group.

Petra gave a talk about the benefits of volunteering, and then lead us in some singing exercises and choruses, which were great fun, and a starter for the choir we hope to form during 2017! Singing is so advantageous, it helps to inflate the lungs, strengthens the muscles of the chest and is a social activity, most uplifting!

We then progressed to the AGM, hearing details of the last, very successful 12 months, and future plans.



Harry Thacker, our much appreciated Chairman, agreed to continue in his role for the year ahead; Irene Norman, one of the founder members of our group and a Chairperson for many years, has held the role of Vice Chair for the past two years; Irene has done a wonderful job over so many years. While agreeing to remain as a Committee member in an advisory role, she is now moving on to a wider voluntary role within the BLF, as a speaker and advisor in helping to set up new Breathe Easy Groups.

Many of our members are understandably struggling health-wise. We do need a Vice Chairperson and some additional Committee members and will be very grateful for anyone from the wider community of West Lancashire and Southport who could help us*.

The 15th Anniversary and AGM was a positive get-together and the group looks forward to its next meeting, for the Christmas Lunch at Hurlston Hall Golf Club on Monday, 5th December, followed by the first meeting of 2017 on Monday, January 16th 2017, at our usual venue, the Girl Guide HQ in Green Lane, Ormskirk, L39 1ND, - next door to the Rugby Club, where there is ample free parking.

It will begin at 11am, with free, light refreshments, followed by the speaker at 11.30 am. All members, friends and visitors will be warmly welcomed. Membership of this group can make a huge difference to the quality of life of folk with respiratory illness and their families, so remember, we shall welcome you!

*Please contact Harry on 01695-576682/Irene on 01695-632501 or Pat on 01704-808891. These are not onerous roles and we operate as a family.