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Respiratory Achievers' Awards Finalists 2023

Child Asthma 5 – 12 years old

Liam Dulver - WINNER
Despite being hospitalised with asthma nearly every year since he was six months old, 11-year old Liam is living his life to the fullest. Liam has played in rugby representative teams since he was five and he is in the Wellington U13 development programme for hockey. He has also represented his school in cross country and hockey. Liam is also a promising leader, and has publicly promoted the COVID-19 vaccine in the media and been a Kea Kids reporter for Stuff. Liam was awarded the Kelson School leadership award in 2021. He was involved in setting up a breakfast club at his primary school and keen member of the Enviro Club.

Charleigh Skelton-Morris
Charleigh is a bright, enthusiastic 10-year-old girl who does not let her asthma get in her way. She was diagnosed with asthma at four years old and has had multiple hospital admissions including two one-week stays in ICU. She is heavily involved in many sports including Jiu Jitsu, jazz, hip hop, Jump Jam, netball, cross country and triathlon. She also actively takes charge of her asthma to keep it controlled as best as possible. Charleigh also manages her peanut allergy and eczema. Her family are really proud of her positive mindset and determination.

Zarah Khan
Zarah has dreams of becoming a professional sportsperson and is determined to let nothing stand in her way, even asthma. The 11-year old has been the highest goal scorer for two years running in the U11 Girls' Team at Birkenhead United Football and is a keen netball player. She is actively involved in managing her asthma and is seeing the benefit this is having on the sports field.


Adult Asthma

Taumata O Te Rā Lowe - WINNER
Taumata was diagnosed with brittle asthma at a young age. At age seven, he experienced a severe asthma attack and flatlined in an ambulance on the way to hospital. This event was filmed by a TV crew and Taumata agreed to have it aired so that others could learn from his experience. He works hard to keep physically and mentally fit to ensure his asthma is under control. Taumata was a head boy at his high school and recently completed an Outward Bound course. He currently works as a foreman for a landscaping company and has plans to work in outdoor education with young people in the future.

Oringa Barach
Oringa has lived with asthma since childhood, but it has not been a barrier to her achievements. Oringa has completed seven Ironman events and attended an Iron Man World Championships. She has completed 20 Rotorua marathons, numerous half marathons, 10 km events and ocean swims. She works with children living with diabetes and other health conditions and is a living example of what can be achieved if you give it a go. Her nominators describe her as kind, caring, modest and inspirational.

Angela O’Brien
Angela was diagnosed with brittle asthma at a young age, with health professionals warning she might not live to 20 years old. She is now 45 years old and has spent a lot of time in hospital and managing medication so she can live her life. Her health condition has meant she is unable to do paid work, but throughout this time she has raised three children and been a tireless volunteer for the charity ‘Give a Kid a Blanket’ and at the Feed the Homeless and Potluck Communal Kai events in Auckland.


COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Gary Syme (Christchurch) - WINNER
Gary has been the volunteer organiser of the Bishopdale Better Breathing community group for the past three years. He co-ordinates a team of volunteers, leads the exercises and has created a supportive, fun environment for the group’s participants. He volunteered to run the group after completing a Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme for people with COPD four years ago. His nominators say he is a living example of how to live well with COPD with one saying: “I am in awe of his kindness, professionalism and commitment to improve the wellbeing of the members of this group.”

Annette Reece (Kawerau)
Annette Reece has lived with asthma her whole life and 12 years ago was diagnosed with COPD. Annette actively manages her condition meaning she is able to serve her local community of Kawerau in many ways. She is a well-known swim coach, an umpire for outdoor bowls, a volunteer for multiple community groups, an avid knitter for charity.  She also volunteers at the local op shop, drives other locals to hospital appointments and calls the weekly bingo sessions.  She is a founding member of the Kawerau COPD support group.

Diane Menso (Kawerau)
73-year-old Diane has pulmonary fibrosis and COPD. She is a volunteer driver for the St John Health Shuttle in Kawerau for two or more days per week and works as a patient support volunteer at the local hospice. She is also a volunteer driver for a local community group for Kawerau’s elderly population.


Other Respiratory Conditions


Edward Lee - WINNER
At 40 years old, Edward is one of the oldest people in New Zealand with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The average life expectancy of someone with CF is 32 years old, although many people with this condition die as children. Edward was able to access the medicine Trikafta privately, and credits it with saving his life. Since then, he has campaigned tirelessly to get Trikafta funded for all New Zealanders with CF. His efforts were rewarded recently when Pharmac announced it would fund this drug for all CF patients over the age of six year. His nominator says: “There are many young people who are alive today due to Ed’s efforts... He is a leader and a symbol of hope for people living with CF”.

Oliver Ayton
Oliver is 11 years old and has lived with laryngomalacia and subglottic stenosis since birth. Despite all his health challenges and many hospital stays, especially over the first seven years of his life Oliver does not let it hold him back. He is an extremely determined young man with an amazing attitude for life. Oliver is an inspiring young actor. He loves the stage and has had several lead roles in school productions, which is especially impressive given his condition meant he needed years of speech therapy. Oliver also trains hard in Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He recently won a bronze medal at the MMA Youth Tournament in October.

Chloe Crump
10-year-old Chloe lives with bronchiectasis, asthma, allergies, autism and ADHD. Although her respiratory conditions affect her daily, she is an active kid who enjoys gymnastics, swimming, and jumping on the trampoline. Her stamina is limited, but she always pushes herself to do her best during these activities. Chloe’s conditions also mean that she is in hospital regularly for treatment, with three to four admissions every year. Chloe continues to show real courage in the face of some tough health challenges. She often wishes to have ‘new lungs’, but is determined to achieve her goals all the same.


Respiratory Educator


Claire Richards - WINNER
Claire is an Asthma Nurse Educator working for the Porirua Asthma Service. She has been an Asthma Nurse Educator for close to 15 years. Claire is a compassionate, caring person and those qualities are demonstrated in her nursing. She is a quick thinker and uses her initiative in many factors of her work, especially when it comes to consumer care or resources used for consumer care. Claire is an incredible advocate for the community and its people, often going above and beyond to ensure people receive the support they need. She volunteers at a weekly choir for people with long term conditions. Claire began volunteering from the choir’s conception. Her nominator says: “Claire is well respected by her colleagues, both internal and external. She is diligent and hardworking. She definitely has a heart of gold and it is demonstrated by the work and care she provides to her consumers.”

Brigitte Eastwood
Brigitte is currently the Inpatient Physiotherapy Team Leader at Tauranga Hospital, however this is just one of her many roles. Brigitte is heavily involved in the day to day running of the Cardiorespiratory Special Interest Group within Physiotherapy NZ. This involves a number of hours spent outside of work in her own time. Brigitte is absolutely relentless in spreading her passion, commitment and love for all things cardiorespiratory. She is involved in distributing resources, planning events and providing learning tools to physiotherapists of all backgrounds. She has supervised a number of physiotherapy students over the years and provided countless hours of supervision to physiotherapists and colleagues. Her nominator says: “Brigitte is an incredible physiotherapist, colleague, team leader and advocate for all things cardiorespiratory.”

Catherine Lamont
Cath has been working with, and advocating for, people with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) over the past 14 years in her role as Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Nurse Specialist. She is dedicated to her patients, whānau, the CF community and goes “above and beyond” to facilitate the best outcome for the patients. She is passionate about ensuring a high quality of care and is a real constant in her ongoing support for patients and families throughout their journey. Cath is an active member of the clinical advisory panel of the CF association of New Zealand, working to support the lay organisation with its advocacy and health promotion work, seeking to improve access to treatments and improve outcomes for people with CF across the motu.



Cody Forbes Award for Courage

Kayla White - WINNER
Kayla lives with a range of respiratory conditions including asthma, emphysema, fibrosis and chronic lung disease. Her family was told she was unlikely to live to her current age (12 years) or do anything physical. Despite these predictions Kayla is in two cheerleading teams, plays competitive soccer, swims and is involved in the school kapa haka team and choir. She has also been very involved with Girl Guides and is now a ranger. Her nominators describe her as a massive inspiration: “She lives life to the full and is not afraid to try new things. She is a mentor, role model and inspiration to others.”

Oliver Ayton
Oliver is 11 years old and has lived with laryngomalacia and subglottic stenosis since birth. Despite all his health challenges and many hospital stays, especially over the first seven years of his life Oliver does not let it hold him back. He is an extremely determined young man with an amazing attitude for life. Oliver is an inspiring young actor. He loves the stage and has had several lead roles in school productions, which is especially impressive given his condition meant he needed years of speech therapy. Oliver also trains hard in Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He recently won a bronze medal at the MMA Youth Tournament in October.

Chloe Crump
10-year-old Chloe lives with bronchiectasis, asthma, allergies, autism and ADHD. Although her respiratory conditions affect her daily, she is an active kid who enjoys gymnastics, swimming, and jumping on the trampoline. Her stamina is limited, but she always pushes herself to do her best during these activities. Chloe’s conditions also mean that she is in hospital regularly for treatment, with three to four admissions every year. Chloe continues to show real courage in the face of some tough health challenges. She often wishes to have ‘new lungs’, but is determined to achieve her goals all the same.


Media Awareness

Maryana Garcia, WINNER

Multi-media journalist Bay of Plenty Times/Rotorua Daily Post
'Living with asthma ‘frightening’' (23 May 2022)

Emma Bernard, Multi-media Journalist, Whanganui Chronicle
‘Need for increased awareness of asthma management and prevention in Whanganui’ (31 October 2022)

Ruth Nichol, Freelance writer, Listener
‘Breathing easier, new research into children’s asthma medication could lead to significant benefits to them – and the health system’ (5 November 2022)



A word from our sponsor:

"Having personally seen the effect asthma has had on family members, the G.J. Gardner team are proud to support the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation's work, including the Respiratory Achievers' Awards."