We are a charity which specifically helps families with children on long-term ventilation (LTV).  It is estimated that 600 children in the UK have this condition and that this is growing at 15% per annum.

The charity was established by Victoria Townsend in 2004 who is now the CEO of the organisation.   She has a son William who has been on LTV for 7 years.   The family have experienced most of the problems that any family will encounter and she has now brought together a number of parents and medical advisor to help families come to terms with this life-changing experience

The Patron of Breathe On is Prof Stephen Hawking CBE. He has personal understanding of the challenges that people on LTV have to overcome and fully supports the positive actions of the charity in 2007. This includes the development of:

• An inter-active website,
• A fully serviced helpline,
• Two parents packs to inform parents of children on LTV in hospital and another which assists parents when children are able to go home
• ‘Find a family’ programme to help trace and support families on LTV and establish an accurate database of how many children have the condition
• Weekend break respite care programme
• Funding for support officers who can assist families with LTV children at home

Harrison Lavery was a TV star on the BBC1 and BBC 2 Lifeline Appeal
Click here to go to the site and watch the programme appeal.