On Sunday 26 June, members of Medical Accident Group (MAG) from our Worcester and Birmingham offices traversed the 9.5-mile hike across the Malvern Hills, raising money and awareness for The George Coller Memorial Fund – a local charity supporting children with asthma.
The cause is very close to home for Laura Widdowson of MAG; when her son Owen was just two years old, he had to be hospitalised with a severe asthma attack. Last year, the pair took part in the Couch 2 5K challenge to dispel the myth that asthmatics should not exercise. This year, Laura decided to go a step further by encouraging the team to join her in taking on the Malvern Hills, raising nearly £700 for the charity.
George tragically passed away from asthma aged three. Ever since, Kim – George’s mother, has worked tirelessly to improve the healthcare for children with asthma by launching The George Coller Memorial Fund in 2000. The charity’s work involves funding for key provisions including:
- Vital hospital equipment
- Helping to sponsor an asthma helpline
- Sponsoring children with asthma to go on medically supervised holidays
- Help and advice to the families of asthmatics
- Awareness campaigns concentrating on improving asthma policies within schools
- Low-cost practical aid in the home for children with asthma (i.e. dust mite covers and filter vacuum cleaners)
- Sponsoring and supporting school nurses to receive vital asthma training
- Supply training to school staff, school nurses, nursery schools, and child minders
Speaking of Laura and MAG’s support, Kim said: “It means the absolute world to us, more so now than ever, with the current climate and aftermath of covid. Would you please reiterate my grateful thanks to all your friends and colleagues that took part and to your company.
“Firstly, I am just so happy that they supported you in your endeavours, secondly, their wonderful donation to my son’s charity”.
Learn more about The George Coller Memorial Fund and the vital work they do, here.
