Father teaches children about the dangers of asthma in memory of son (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Father teaches children about the dangers of asthma in memory of son

12:02pm Tuesday 7th February 2012 in News By Zoe Forsey

Father teaches children about the dangers of asthma in memory of son

A father from St Albans who lost his son to asthma five years ago is marking the anniversary of his death with a campaign to teach people about the real dangers of the condition.

Peter Curtis has been working hard to bring asthma and allergy awareness into schools since his son Alex died of an acute asthma attack on February 6, 2007 aged 17.

The 66-year-old set up the Alex Curtis Trust in memory of his son, who attended the Nicholas Breakspear School in St Albans.

Mr Curtis has been visiting schools across the county delivering talks to make people aware of how serious the condition can be.

He said: "Before I lost Alex I didn’t really understand just how dangerous it was.

"The scenario we went through was the furthest from my mind - I didn’t know you could lose people from it.

"I don’t want what happened to Alex to happen to any other child."

Mr Curtis believes non-suffers need to be taught about the illness as well. He said children sometimes don't use their inhalers because they are embarrassed.

He said: "Once children feel they are not being ridiculed for their asthma they can use their treatment properly."

Mr Curtis has so far been invited into 40 schools across Hertfordshire, and is hoping to visit more over the next few years.

The trust is appealing for more volunteers to get involved to help spread to message around the county and beyond.

Alex had a real passion for drama and spent a year at the National Youth Theatre.

It was his strong positive attitude that inspired his father to set up the trust a year after he died.

With a group of trustees, including Alex’s oldest sister, the group hope to become a national charity.

Mr Curtis said: "Alex drives me to do it - he was an inspiration.

"I say something about him in every talk, he never let his asthma get him down.

"I couldn’t do it without his support and I am pretty sure I have got that."