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Blossom Launch - 31st May 2007
HELP FOR ALLERGIC CHILDREN ‘BLOSSOMS’
With more than 40 per cent of the UK’s children suffering from allergic disease Allergy UK are launching their most ambitious project to date. The ‘Blossom Campaign’ will be launched at the Royal College of Paediatrics on 31st May.
Blossom aims to stop the social exclusion of children with allergies and to provide information, advice and support for carers - whether parents, child minders, teachers or voluntary group leaders. Blossom will work closely with all sectors to provide information through publications, a new website - http://www.blossomcampaign.org and immediate help and support from trained staff via a helpline.
“Sadly we hear repeatedly of children with allergy being denied the opportunity to take part in activities that other children take for granted,” says Muriel Simmons, Chief Executive of Allergy UK.
“Understanding allergy and its management is the key. By providing good advice tailored for the specific area of care, children with allergies will be able to partake in everyday social activities.”
The Blossom Campaign seeks to raise awareness of the importance and impact of childhood allergy and what can be done to support parents and healthcare professionals in the battle to achieve faster diagnosis.
An important part of the project is helping families and new and expectant parents to access sound information on how they can help their child.
“This is a worrying time when families are desperately seeking information, especially those who have a history of allergy in the family,” says Lindsey McManus, Director of the Blossom Campaign. “Being well informed is very reassuring and the Blossom Campaign will be invaluable to parents and healthcare professionals to ensure they have the very latest thinking in the management of potential and actual allergy.”
To acknowledge the struggles of those with allergies a new Blossom Spirit Award will be presented at the Campaign launch on 31st May to an individual child or family that has faced the daily battle of allergy and its life changing effects.
The Blossom Campaign is supported by individual and corporate donations. Denise Kennedy, Community Relations Manager for Nestlé UK, a key partner in Blossom, says:
“As a major food and drink manufacturer we understand the implications food allergies can have for individuals. We act in a responsible way by ensuring clear labeling of our products and providing ‘allergy avoidance’ lists to those who need them. Our support for the Blossom Campaign is a way of improving access to education and information for those who care for children with allergy. We are delighted to support this exciting new initiative which will make a real contribution to improving the life of children with allergies and their carers.”
For further information please contact:-
Lindsey McManus
Blossom Campaign Director
01322 611648
Email: lindsey@allergyuk.org
Muriel Simmons
Chief Executive, Allergy UK
01322 611649
07949 534643
Email: muriel@allergyuk.org
Ian Whitaker
Press Office
Nestlé UK Ltd
0208 667 5893
Email: nestleukpressoffice@uk.nestle.com