Double gold-winning track cyclist Laura Trott has become the face of charity Asthma UK’s online resource to help young adults living with the condition.
The Olympian, who was recently made an OBE, defied the odds to become a cycling champion after she was born with a collapsed lung and developed severe asthma.
Laura, 20, says she now wants to inspire other young people with asthma by supporting the charity’s Big Up Your Chest Facebook page.
Laura says: “When I was a child I developed severe asthma. As a result, my doctors advised me to start swimming to help me to regulate my breathing and I later I took up cycling with my mum.
“I was overjoyed when I won two gold medals for track cycling at the London 2012 Olympics – I couldn’t believe how far I’d come and I was so proud to fly the flag for Britain! I was able to achieve these amazing victories because I manage my asthma by taking my medicines and making sure I’m looking after my condition sensibly. It still impacts me physically as I tend to get a dry cough after I’ve been training so I have to be aware of my limits.
“I hope I can inspire other people my age with asthma through my own accomplishments and show that with the right treatment, management and attitude to asthma, it doesn’t have to hold you back. The Big Up Your Chest page is a great way for young people to understand their asthma and find out how they can look after it too, so they reduce the risk of having an asthma attack.”
A number of celebrities, including The Wanted’s Nathan Sykes, Stephen Fry, Camilla Dallerup and Claire Richards, have tweeted their support for the ‘Big Up Your Chest’ page, which is currently liked by more than 4,000 people on Facebook.
It supports and informs young people with asthma by sharing helpful and relevant health information and provides an online forum for users to discuss their experiences of asthma.
David Hiles, head of health promotion at Asthma UK, said: “We are thrilled to have Laura on board. Her fantastic achievements make her a huge inspiration to young people with asthma who can ensure they are managing their condition properly by using the Big Up Your Chest page.”
For more information visit the Facebook page here.
