Summary of Take The Active Option 2022: distances made and funds raised

Thank you once again to everyone who took part in this year’s #TakeTheActiveOption!

With 50 people signing up to take part in the challenge, you travelled a combined distance of 3,173 kilometres throughout September. Participants raised almost €3,000 towards our Healthy Lungs for Life campaign in 2023. A great achievement we can all share.

We would like to say a special thanks to Achille Abbondanza. After a double lung transplant earlier this year, Achille cycled an impressive 395.8km for #TakeTheActiveOption. Achille’s campaigning also made it into his local newspaper. Thank you to Achille and team FIMARP ONLUS!

As well as bringing attention to the importance of physical activity for good lung health, #TakeTheActiveOption also raises money for our Healthy Lungs for Life campaign.

Healthy Lungs for Life is an important part of the work we do. Each year, the campaign teaches thousands of people about lung health and how to make choices in their life to positively impact their own lungs and the lung health of other people. The campaign currently focuses on five key themes: Physical activity (#TakeTheActiveOption) Air quality (#BreatheCleanAir) Stopping smoking (#BeSmokeFree) Vaccination (#Vaccinate) and Climate Change (#FightClimateChange).

As well as publishing up-to-date information throughout the year, we also run public events, give grants for other organisations to run awareness events in local communities, and are currently rolling out a new schools programme.

We will be launching #TakeTheActiveOption again in March 2023, but if you would like to register your interest now, or learn other ways in which you can support the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign, please email Katherine.wylie@europeanlung.org