Asthma need not hold children back and I hope that young achievers never think that having asthma stops you from fulfilling your dreams.

Although asthma can be very serious – in the East Midlands approximately 1,750 children a year are admitted to hospital because of their asthma – with the right medication and support most children with asthma should be able to take part and enjoy sport and exercise and reach their potential.

The Asthma UK Kick Asthma mini-marathon enables children of all different abilities and fitness levels to take part and also raises money for Asthma UK so that they can help improve the health and well-being of more than a million children with asthma.

Each child taking part is sponsored to complete a short section, which combined with others, completes the marathon.

They can also complete it in any way they like so we've seen children on piggyback, three-legged and even with an egg and spoon!

So I would urge any reader who thinks their child would enjoy taking part, to ask their teacher or youth club leader to sign up by calling 08456 03 81 43 or e-mailing info@asthma.org.uk.

Theresa Hall
Assistant Director of Group Giving
Asthma UK