Murtoa’s Kaden Thomas has launched an Asthma Week fundraising group – the Lung Avengers – to raise money for asthma in a bid to help his younger sister Amelia and other asthma sufferers. 

Kaden’s mother Katelyn Tepper said her son, 12, aimed to raise $3000 with his team.

“He is trying to rope all his friends in to help raise money,” she said.

“He raised $700 in the first 48 hours of the fundraiser, quickly passing his personal goal of $500.”

While Kaden takes medication daily to control his own asthma, Amelia, four, suffers quite severely.

“Amelia’s asthma is usually triggered by a cold or croup – she has been hospitalised six times in the past 14 months, and ended up in the intensive care unit twice,” Ms Tepper said.

“Kaden gets very worried when Amelia is in hospital, he stays with his grandparents while we take her to Horsham for treatment.

“He saw the fundraiser advertised online and asked if he could do it.”

Asthma Australia’s Huff and Puff campaign is from September 1 to 10 and asks people to ‘get breathless’ to raise money and awareness for people living with asthma. 

People are encouraged to sign up for some kind of physical activity, from walking to swimming and running.

The campaign – Asthma Australia’s first event in five years –  aims to bring more awareness to the seriousness of asthma – it is a respiratory condition that affects more than 2.8-million, or one in nine Australians, with children the most impacted.

Asthma claims one Australian life and hospitalises about 100 people every day – more than 80 per cent of these hospitalisations are considered potentially avoidable.

Money raised during the campaign goes towards – research for better asthma treatments and to find a cure; information line 1800 ASTHMA; and AirSmart, the Australian app that shows air quality, so people with asthma can safely plan their days.

So far, Kaden’s individual fundraising effort has placed him fifth on the leaderboard, while the Lung Avengers are second on the teams’ leaderboard.

“We are hoping that through Kaden’s hard work and everyone else who has joined up, we can better the outcomes for people who suffer from asthma,” Ms Tepper said.

“He’s such a doting big brother, we’re very proud of him.”

People can find more information, join the challenge, or donate at https://fundraise.asthma.org.au/fundraisers/lungavengers

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