2021 Chair Report

BREATHE EASY FOUNDATION

ANNUAL REPORT

JUNE 2021

 

TRUSTEES

 

Mrs Dorcas Akeju, OBE-Chair

Mr Claudius Akeju-Secretary

Mr Isaac Adewusi-Treasurer

Dr Joseph Garr

Mr Koleola Akeju

Mrs Patricia Thomas

Mr Alfred Abbey

Patron ~ Dame Lorna Muirhead

 

Short Background: 

The Foundation has been involved in raising awareness of Asthma  since it was established since November 2010.  Annually it sends trustees to Nigeria to work with our partners in raising awareness and distributing inhalers, peak flows and nebulizers at two Teaching Hospitals, health centres , churches and to community groups. It has produced leaflets in English and Yoruba which is one of the main languages in Nigeria

 Bank Details: Barclays Bank, Allerton Rd Branch, Liverpool L18

Asthma remains a killer in the United Kingdom as well as in Nigeria especially during this Covid time when Asthmatic patients are more vulnerable. 

This year has been a difficult and challenging year for the Foundation. A lot of Charities like ours have been affected by Covid-19. We were able to hold two fund raising event through the hard work of our two supporters as will be highlighted later in the report before Covid restrictions. Meanwhile the trustees met quarterly to discuss activities of the organisation in persons before the Covid -19 and on Zoom as necessary.

 

COFFEE MORNING-

This was arranged by our Fund Raising Trustee (Mrs Trish Thomas) in partnership with Euro Chemist. Raffle tickets were sold in advance and patients using the Chemist and St James’s Health Centre were all invited to join. It was also advertised on Facebook. Dr Chatwin from St James’s Health Centre joined us and spoke about the appropriate use of inhalers and dangers of uncontrolled Asthma . There were plenty of minced pies and cakes with coffee and tea. A total of £710  was raised. A big thanks to Trish staff of Euro Chemist and all those who support the morning.

 

AFTERNOON TEA

The Afternoon Tea was arranged by one of our great support Mrs Claire Casswell. The day was well advertised on Facebook and at the local churches especially Bridge Chapel. The setting up started by 8.30 am and we had support from Claire’s family and many members of the Bridge Chapel.  The event started at 11am and we were amazed as many people came to support the day. A total of £1089.74p was raised .  Thanks Claire for all your hard work 

Our AGM was held on Zoom on the 14^th of November 2020 with 30 people joining including partners and volunteers from Nigeria.The plan this year is for two trustees to go to Nigeria and work with our partners at the University College Hospital, Ibadan and Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife to hold big events in Nigeria to raise awareness about Asthma and allergies in April  but did not materialise because of the  travelling restrictions.

Our volunteers have been visiting the hospitals in Nigeria

 

Our Volunteer-Mrs Mary Aderonke Akinwumi delivering Ventolin Inhalers to Professor Ige and Team at the University College Hospital Ibadan

 

Our sincere thanks to our Patron -Dame Lorna Muirhead and her husband Dr Ronald Muirhead for their encouragements and financial support, Dr Chatwin for raising money for BEF,  Bridge Chapel Congregation, families, friends and above all the trustees for their hard work all year round. A big thanks to Euro Chemist for their continuous support and looking after the collection box; also  shops such as Dress Sense and New Image Hair Saloon (Kensington, Liverpool) which have been helping with our collection boxes. May God continue to bless you all. Above all we thank God Almighty for this work.

 

Dorcas Akeju, OBE

Chair