Nessie and her team step out

They certainly are for Breathe Easy Causeway Chairperson, Mrs Nessie Blair, who is stepping out in a charity fundraising effort.

Mrs Blair, a former top respiratory nurse at Causeway Hospital, is leading a team of Breathe Easy members in the 12-mile sponsored walk from Coleraine to Portstewart, Portrush and back to Coleraine Marina on Saturday, May 22 to raise money for British Lung Foundation charities.

Ballymoney housewife, Mrs Blair, has been toning up her fitness in recent weeks not only to prepare for the Coleraine walk but also to take part in the much more challenging Belfast Marathon on Monday, May 3.

“Getting a little breathless” is good for you, according to respiratory specialists. Nessie and her team are looking forward eagerly to putting this to the test.

Breathe Easy Causeway, the top BLF Support Group, are no strangers to the hard grind of fundraising.

Already over the past eight years they have donated almost 100 000 to help in the ongoing battle to raise awareness of and combat lung disease.

This has been done through sponsored walks, fashion shows, old-time dances, pram pushes, golf tournaments and donations in lieu-of-flowers.

Meanwhile, it was appropriate that at the April meeting of Breathe Easy Causeway members were lectured by Mrs Christine Gamble, Physiotherapist Specialist at the Causeway Hospital, in the need for respiratory patients to have a daily keep-fit routine.

Christine, who along with Ruth Hayes, Respiratory Technician at Causeway Hospital, led a very successful pulmonary rehabilitation class at the Coleraine Leisure Centre, said: “No matter how bad we all believe our breathing problems to be it is essential that we all set aside some time each day to improve our general fitness. This will greatly improve our quality of life.”

Nessie and Christine made a very informative presentation on how respiratory patients could best use their inhalers and other breathing aids.

Meanwhile Breathe Easy Causeway continues its vigorous campaign to raise awareness of its activities.

Led by Mrs Blair, members will speak about the work of BEC at Rasharkin Luncheon Club on April 28 and at the Ballymoney Probus Club in the Joey Dunlop Centre on May 24.

It was also reported at the April meeting that Gracehill Golf Club has nominated Breathe Easy Causeway as one of their charities for this year.