HEALTH messages have been spanning the generations as a pulmonary support group helped young people to love their lungs.

Members of Breathe Easy Darlington have been working with pupils at the town’s Gurney Pease Academy on an initiative designed to raise awareness about chest conditions.

The project culminated in a day of celebration at which Breathe Easy members selected a number of lung artworks which will be framed and hung on the walls of Ward 44 at Darlington Memorial Hospital, which specialises in respiratory complaints.

Breathe Easy Darlington has been promoting the benefits of exercise in preventing and combatting the effects of a variety of chest conditions and has funded the very first respiratory fitness trainer in Darlington, Victoria McFaull. She runs BEActive and BEDance classes.

She joined members of the group and of all year groups on the school fields for an afternoon featuring tai chi, dance, skipping, ball relay games, sit-ups, bat and ball games and sack races.

Chair of Breathe Easy Darlington Gaynor Williams said: “This has been a wonderful project and our members have loved it. It is so important to pass on messages about staying healthy and looking after your lungs. Working with Gurney Pease will hopefully help to raise awareness whether on a personal level or environmentally."

For more information contact the British Lung Foundation helpline on 03000 030 555.