Crystal Caesar celebrated the hard work of Open Airways yesterday as the charity celebrated World Asthma Day.

Ms Caesar, the government spokeswoman for health in the Senate, said the number of patients admitted to hospital for asthma had fallen by 76 per cent since the charity was founded in 1997.

She said: “I can only scratch the surface of the work provided by this group over the last 20 years — indeed, scratch the surface in explaining all the work they do throughout any given year.

“On average, five people may be treated for asthma each day in the emergency room. In Bermuda, one in ten adults and one in five children suffer from asthma.

“Open Airways works together with the Department of Health, the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital Asthma Centre and the network of healthcare professionals throughout the island — many of whom take advantage of the professional workshops and other asthma educational opportunities facilitated by the charity.”

Ms Caesar urged the public to assist the charity as they work to address breathing issues in Bermuda.

Open Airways celebrated World Asthma Day with an event with the theme “Love Your Lungs — Stay Active with Asthma” at City Hall.

Tracy Nash, the charity’s director of asthma education, said: “We had 100 pillows and we had 100 microfibre cloths — they’ve all gone. We’ve also given out a lot of spacers.

“We had a good turnout and we have also hopefully helped a lot of people with their asthma.”

Ms Nash explained that it was a requirement for people to speak with one of the volunteers offering asthma education before receiving any of the free items.

She said too many people continued to rely on their reliever inhaler. “We really try to get the message across that they need to take their preventer inhaler every day,” she added.

Ms Nash explained that the charity also organised a “0.20K” walk around City Hall to raise funds and to demonstrate that anyone with asthma should be able to do exercise.

The event featured musical entertainment by Happy Moment Preschool, Warwick Preschool, Once Upon a Time Preschool, Warwick Academy, Bermuda High School and Saltus Grammar School.