Over 185,000 Irish children aged between one and 14 have asthma and each misses an estimated 10 days of school every year as a result of the disease, the Asthma Society of Ireland (ASI) has said.

The ASI is hosting its first Bubble Day on May 3 in an effort to raise funds to create a network of support groups for the parents and carers of children with asthma, which affects one in five children.

The society also wants to raise awareness among parents of the importance of managing their child's asthmas in the best way possible. It noted that 13 children have died from this disease over the last 12 years.

"Parents of children with asthma urgently need more information and support to help them better understand and manage their child's condition. Having piloted a parent and carers programme in 2015, the Asthma Society is delighted to now offer a more comprehensive programme to this audience and Bubble Day will allow us to do this across the country if enough funds are raised," explained Pheena Kenny, head of health promotion at the ASI.

This new programme runs for five weeks, with each session lasting three hours. It is delivered by ASI health promotion staff and asthma nurse specialists. All participants receive a free asthma management pack, which aims to improve parents' confidence in how they manage their child's condition.

Bubble Day is supported by Boots Ireland, which is also providing free ‘Let's Breathe Easy' asthma consultations throughout the month of May. These consultations include advice on correct inhaler techniques and how to get the most out of your medicines.

An estimated 300 million people worldwide have asthma, including around 470,000 people in Ireland. Some 250,000 people globally die prematurely from asthma, however the vast majority of these deaths are preventable.

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