An Asthma awareness campaign has been set up by GSK Ulverston in memory of a local boy.

Apprentices from the company want to pay tribute to the memory of Josh West, 11 who died of an asthma attack in 2016.

Josh’s dad, Lee West commented: “The whole asthma awareness campaign looks fantastic.

“If it creates more awareness and stops it happening to anyone else’s child, then it is a fantastic idea. If it could help others, that would be brilliant.”

Josh was described as a popular and a talented young footballer.

The GSK apprentices will deliver presentations to local sports clubs and coaches on how to recognise the symptoms of asthma and what to do if someone is having an asthma attack.

The presentations will roll out to schools, colleges and other youth organisations in Cumbria.

GSK manufacturing apprentice Sam Coulson, 18, from Ulverston thought of the campaign and said: “Lots of people at GSK knew Josh and know his family.”

“Josh was really popular and made friends with everyone. I would see him at my cousin’s house and we would sometimes have a kick around. We were all really shocked and upset when he died.”

“I originally had the idea for the campaign as a project we could do as part of the Brathay Apprentice Challenge, but now it has grown into something much bigger”.

Asthma is a long-term respiratory condition that affects at least 5.4mpeople in the UK including 1 in 11 children.

The campaign was also backed by a consultant paediatrician from University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust Dr Mohamed Olabi.

GSK supply chain apprentice Kelly Stokes, 19, from Walney Island added: “Lots of people think asthma is a minor condition, but they need to realise how serious it can be and we want to get that message out.”

“We have had a lot of support from staff at GSK, both locally and nationally. Everyone has been very moved by Josh’s story.”

The Brathay Apprentice Challenge is a competition between apprentices from across the UK and consists of employees working on a community project to benefit young people.

Apprentice programme manager at GSK Ulverston Terry Sandham added: “As a team, they have worked incredibly hard on researching asthma and putting the campaign materials together.”

“They were really moved by Josh’s story and they are passionate about getting the message out to young people about asthma awareness”.

“I am really proud of what the apprentices have achieved with the asthma awareness campaign.”