By a County Press reporter
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
From left, respiratory clinical nurse specialist Sarah Kearney with chairman of Breathe Easy Isle of Wight Andrew Savage and consultant respiratory physician Dr Andrew Woolley.
PATIENTS with breathing problems on the Isle of Wight will benefit from new equipment at St Mary's Hospital, thanks to a £5,500 donation.
The charity Breathe Easy Isle of Wight raised the money for a portable ultrasound scanner with a series of fundraisers throughout last year. It will be used by respiratory department staff to diagnose lung problems.
Events held as part of the 2012 Breathe Easy Challenge, supported by the Co-op, included a 12-hour 'exerciseathon' and a challenge to fill Smartie tubes with as many 20p coins as possible.
Respiratory clinical nurse specialist Sarah Kearney said: "I would like to thank Breathe Easy members for their amazing efforts throughout 2012, which I know meant the consumption of many Smarties, as well as many steps trodden in the gym or on the exercise bicycles."
The 2013 Breathe Easy Challenge, supported by Sainsbury's, is already underway, and a sponsored walk along the coastal path will be held later this month (March).