On Friday Craigmillar Park Golf Club hosted a charity golf day to raise money for Asthma UK. Golf club Captain Karen wanted to host a charity day and the fact that she chose Asthma UK was brilliant. She had said she never knew how bad asthma could be until she met me. I still can’t quite believe that the chosen charity chosen was Asthma UK.
Despite some very wet weather the day went ahead and it was very successful. With players arriving at 8am for bacon rolls before taking to the course to compete in a variety of different challenges- ranging from closest to the wiggly line to beat the pro. Raffle tickets were purchased by the dozen and the mulligans on offer were a very successful sale with just about every player buying them (only 3 per player and not to be used on the green!!). Golf was followed by a balloon raffle, lunch and presentation of prizes.
For me the day was a real mix of emotion. I was so proud of my club hosting the charity golf day, proud of my captain for choosing Asthma UK and all the help which members of the club put in either by setting up the night before, rules official, manning desks, selling raffle tickets, car parking attendant, entering teams, getting prizes the list is endless and there are not enough thank you’s I can give to let you know how grateful I am.
The day also brought sadness. After the lunch a video was shown about a young girl who died of an asthma attack and why it is vital to raise money for new treatments and the potential to find a cure. The video brought back my own experiences of life threatening asthma attacks, ending up in intensive care and fearing I have no more energy to continue breathing. It not only brought back my own fears but the memories of friends who I have made but have then died of asthma attacks or the consequences of. One particular person Dawn (pictured below) who taught me to follow my dreams and gave me so much encouragement when times were not great and I had long spells in hospital. She sadly died and it was such a waste of such a caring, charming, compassionate person. Asthma should not have killed her but it did and it is people like her I do all I can to raise awareness of asthma and just how much destruction it can do.
I briefly spoke about my relationship with Asthma UK and asthma. I find it easier to show my relationship in pictures. You don’t always look ill with asthma unless in an attack. You can’t see diminished lung capacity and function, or the medications needed to keep you going. Instead I showed it in pictures. A collection of pictures from being in hospital, being at home and also my medication. Its a side of asthma that is kept behind a closed door. I think this is the most powerful way to show just what asthma can do.
When setting out the host a charity golf day we had a target of about £4000-£5000 and part of me didn’t want to put my hopes high. Asthma is not one the “sexy” diseases which gets loads of funding from donations. The lack of money in asthma research has meant that in my lifetime there has only been 2 new medications developed which I take but I still end up in hospital. No one really knows how serious it can be unless you know someone or have witnessed someone suffer a severe attack. I don’t think it has sunk in just how much money everyone donated on the day. It was not only the monetary donations but also the time put in by everyone. The total amount raised has not yet been calculated but we have superseded our target.
(setting the balloon with AUK sticker smiley face into the air (not successfully) but I thought of those who I know who have died from asthma attacks and wished something too!)
The emotions from the day have been playing on my mind a lot. It has brought up a lot of memories I had intentionally buried and not want to deal with as they are too scary and also bring the reality of my situation to the forefront. My asthma is so much better now but is it better because I am not doing anything anymore or is it better because it is actually better and I can start pushing my body. It is like testing the water and seeing what I can and cannot manage.
I owe a huge thanks to Janet (pictured left) and her PA who went above and beyond with entering teams, printing flyers, getting prizes donated. Thank you Janet!!
Me and Captain KB at the end of a very successful day.
Thank you all once again. Look out for the final total raised.
ANONYMOUS-ASTHMA 