Teenager and rugby player tackle asthma

Former Ossett Academy pupil Ellie Appleton, 19, interviewed Castleford Tigers forward Matt Cook for an online journal called BREATHE, which aims to help teenagers learn about asthma.

Miss Appleton lost close friend Joel Peacock to an asthma attack in 2013 and has fundraised for Asthma UK since then. The BREATHE project is aimed at helping 14 to 19-year-olds prevent or manage their asthma more effectively.

The journal includes films, an online game, photography and articles. It has been created by young people and produced city arts charity One to One Development Trust.

Judi Alston, Creative Director of One to One Development Trust, said: “Ellie lost her best friend Joel Peacock to asthma nearly two years ago, she raised £4,000 for Asthma UK so she was a great member of our production team to interview Matt Cook.

“Matt shared some really interesting and useful insights into being a professional sportsman with asthma, we really appreciate his time and the support of Castleford Tigers with this innovative health awareness project.”

BREATHE, which has been funded by Wakefield Clinical Commissioning Group and NOVA, will be trialled with Ossett Academy in the autumn then launched across Wakefield in early 2016. It’s for use in schools, youth groups and doctors surgeries.

If you are a young person with asthma and would like to contribute then contact 07901 686142 or email [email protected].