A DOCTOR from Milton Combe has led a crowdfunding bid to build a new lung disease facility in Africa — and the target has been smashed and extended thanks to local support.

Patrons at the Who’d Have Thought It Inn at Milton Combe heard Dr Rupert Jones discuss the Breathe Again Africa project at a special fundraiser last week and he underlined the project’s aim to build a pulmonary rehabilitation centre in Kampala, Uganda.

The facility will help to train medical professionals and treat people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) from across the continent.

Dr Jones, who researches into pulmonary conditions at the University of Plymouth, launched a crowdfunding bid at the start of April to raise £10,000 in 30 days and thanks to help from the pub event, the target has been smashed.

As a result, the target was extended to £13,000.

Dr Jones said: ‘It’s fantastic that we’ve exceeded £10,000 already and I’m so very grateful for all the donations that have come in.

‘The support of the Who’d Have Thought It Inn and everyone who attended the event was brilliant.

‘We’ve stretched our target as, ultimately, the more money the project has, the more we can use to equip the facility, so any donations have been incredibly gratefully received.

‘We plan to build a bespoke centre for pulmonary rehab in Mulago Hospital in Kampala.

‘The centre will act as a permanent national centre for performing pulmonary rehabilitation and for training staff from across Africa to conduct rehab to the highest standards.

‘Our research has shown how effective the treatment is and we only have one month to raise £10,000. Every single penny will help us to build a centre to treat a neglected group of patients who are suffering from a devastating disease without treatment. Please help if you can.’

Asthma and COPD are common the world over and, in the west, most often treated through the use of inhalers. But in Uganda, these treatments are expensive and seldom available even if they can be afforded.

The pulmonary rehab set to be delivered at the centre is an evidence-based intervention that does not involve drugs. Groups of patients undergo rehabilitation in a six-week twice weekly programme of exercise and education.

University research, led by Dr Jones and funded by the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust and UK Government Department for International Development, has shown that rehab worked effectively in Uganda to improve symptoms, social isolation and return to productivity. 

To support the Breathe Again Africa project, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/breathe-again-africa