A specialist lung health charity in Darlington, Breathe Easy Darlington, has received a £1,000 grant from the Banks Group's Banks Community Fund, enabling the addition of monthly ten-pin bowling sessions at Hollywood Bowl in Stockton. The volunteer-run group supports around 65 members living with respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, cancer, and bronchiectasis, along with their families and carers.
Activities and Impact
Breathe Easy Darlington offers free respiratory exercise classes at Eastbourne Sports Complex and Tai Chi sessions at Business Central in Darlington. The new bowling sessions allow up to 16 members to compete in two teams, providing gentle exercise and social interaction. The charity also runs a monthly First Tuesday lunch club at the Copper Beech pub and organizes trips for members.
Ann Boyd, secretary and trustee, said: “People with respiratory conditions can often find that the active hobbies they used to do are now beyond them and can sometimes struggle to find alternative activities that suit their needs. Our exercise sessions are designed to help encourage an increase in mobility and muscle strength, which help to reduce their symptoms while also offering some social interaction with a supportive group who understand and share their limitations and motivations.”
Funding Details
The £1,000 grant removes financial barriers for members to participate in bowling. Boyd added: “We were all thrilled when we heard that we’d been awarded this grant by the Banks Group, especially as it removes any financial barriers to people coming along to bowling, and we’re looking forward to showing off our bowling skills over the next 12 months.”
Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, said: “The simple steps that Breathe Easy Darlington helps its members take are clearly making a real difference to their physical and mental well-being. We’re very pleased to be helping the team extend what they can offer and hope all the members enjoy some friendly competition on the lanes.”
Background and Reach
Originally founded in 2009 as part of the British Lung Foundation, Breathe Easy Darlington became an independent charity in 2023. It is one of only three such groups in the North East, serving members across Darlington, County Durham, and Teesside. The Banks Community Fund is independently managed by Point North (formerly County Durham Community Foundation).
