Member Article

Housebuilder’s donation to fund hospital breathing equipment

A campaign group working to provide essential medical breathing equipment has been awarded £1,000 by Persimmon Homes.

Asthma Relief, based in Swindon, was given the cash by Persimmon as it looks to aid hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, medical centres and hospices with equipment such as nebulisers.

The charity’s founder David Penman set up the charity follow the death of his older brother – aged 28 – as a result of an asthma attack.

David said: “Many years ago I was busy running my own engineering company when I suffered a massive heart attack.

“I was admitted to hospital for surgery and was told that I should stop working. During my time in the hospital, I noticed that there was a shortage of nebulising machines on the ward. The patients suffering from breathing difficulties were sharing one machine. Nebulisers are expensive and there was obviously a shortage.

“Years earlier I witnessed my older brother struggling to breathe and eventually lose his life at the age of 28 following an asthma attack. This had a profound effect on me and it was then that I set up the Charity Asthma Relief from my hospital bed.”

David added that the charity helps hospices, hospitals and medical centres in and around Wiltshire. He explained:

“For us to continue you this work we rely on funding, this is why the donation from Persimmon Homes is a huge boost for us.”

Pauline Fletcher, sales and marketing director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, added: “David Penman has done amazing work from difficult circumstances and has gone on to help so many people. “We are proud to support Asthma Relief’s cause and hope our donation can help their ever growing contribution to the people of Wiltshire.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lee Southen .