Students, pupils, musicians and international performers have come together in a powerful show of community spirit, raising awareness and vital funds for Pulmonary Fibrosis NI (PFNI) through a unique series of drumming events across Tyrone and Fermanagh. The initiative, spearheaded by Donna Cooney to honour her husband George and his brothers, entitled “Beats for Breath,” took place during the first …

  Photo caption: Bridie Teague and her son Ciarán Teague, presenting a cheque for €1,210 to Pulmonary Fibrosis NI in memory of her late husband, Bart Teague, following celebrations for her 80th birthday. Pulmonary Fibrosis NI was deeply honoured to receive a generous donation of €1,210 from Bridie Teague, presented in loving memory of her late husband, Bart Teague (RIP). …

MAKING EVERY MOUTHFUL COUNT A guide to support patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) who have nutritional concerns CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW np-gb-102778 ild nutrition digital guide

Patricia Hutchinson discusses equipment and aids to help people with PF

An amazing day at SWC Dungannon where the Health and Social Care Students engaged in a ‘Wellness in Rhythm’ workshop facilitated by Aidan Dunphy. At the outset of the session I had the pleasure of giving the students an insight into pulmonary fibrosis and what it’s like for patients to live with PF, as well as the work of Pulmonary …

Learn about the Condition Management Programme, where Natalie McCrea Occupational Therapist/Acting Team Lead and Caoimhe Keane, Physiotherapist from the Western Trust give an overview of the support available to help patients manage their health, work and wellbeing.

Pulmonary Fibrosis NI would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Londonderry, Donegal, Tyrone and Fermanagh District Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for their generous donation of £1,350. Tom McMillan, Chair of Pulmonary Fibrosis NI, recently visited Eglinton to meet with members of the District Grand Chapter. During the meeting, Tom was formally presented with a cheque by …

We were delighted to welcome Patricia Hutchinson from Northern Ireland Hospice for a highly engaging and informative session on relaxation techniques for our pulmonary fibrosis members, patients and carers. The session explored the importance of relaxation and the many benefits it can bring, including managing anxiety and stress, helping with fatigue, alleviating nausea and vomiting, supporting pain management, reducing breathlessness, …

On Tuesday 3rd February Fay Coffey (Trustee) and Clare Donohoe (Co-ordinator) from Pulmonary Fibrosis NI were out raising awareness at the CAFRE Student Wellbeing Day at Greenmount Campus, Antrim. We were delighted to speak with so many students and staff who stopped by our stand to learn more about pulmonary fibrosis. While only one person had previously heard of PF, …

Una McMillan (PFNI Trustee) and Tom McMillan (PFNI Chair and Trustee) were delighted to be at Queen’s University Belfast today, kindly invited by Dr Mark Dornan, to speak with qualified respiratory nurses from across Northern Ireland. We talked openly about what it is really like to live with pulmonary fibrosis, the everyday challenges patients face, and the vital work of …

Saturday 24 January 2026 | Whitehouse Primary School, Newtownabbey On Saturday afternoon, 24th January 2026, Pulmonary Fibrosis NI welcomed our ambassadors and trustees to a very special Ambassador Induction & Training Event, a gathering built around connection, learning and a shared commitment to shaping a better future for everyone affected by pulmonary fibrosis. Guided by the theme “Together, our voices …

Fay Coffey (Trustee), Ian Simpson (Trustee) and Clare Donohoe (Co-ordinator) attended ‘Don’t Hold your Breath’ event at The Millbrook Lodge Hotel on 15th January 2026. This event was hosted by Mid Down UFU. The audience was provided with insightful information from Mr Peter Howard from Boehringer Ingelheim and Dr Jillian Johnston from the Public Health Agency on emerging livestock vs …

At this week’s Patient Support Group on Zoom, we were privileged to  host 3 medical students from Queen’s University who learned about the lived experience of people who have pulmonary fibrosis, including their experiences of diagnosis, living with the disease, disease management and medication and side effects, and the experience of carers on the PF journey. The students were very …

A special thank you to CC Printing from Enniskillen who expertly added our Logo and contact information to our 2 vehicles. This will undoubtedly raise our profile around the country. They look spectacular.

At our Patient Support Group on 13 January 2026, we were delighted to have Anne McCord, Lead Respiratory/ILD Pharmacist in the SHSCT present important information about Pharmacological considerations in ILD to our patients and carers. Please watch the video to learn about supportive medications used in ILD for cough and/or breathlessness, Mucous/sputum, Exacerbations (antibiotics and steroids), inhalers, vaccines, supplements, managing …

Tom McMillan (Chair) and his wife Una (Trustee) met with Gordon Kendall, his wife and Fay Coffey, Trustee, at Dundrum rowing club on Sunday 11th January 2026 for a cheque presentation following his epic challenge of rowing 10K a day for 30 days in November 2025. Gordon raised over £4,000, which was divided equally between Pulmonary Fibrosis NI and Prostrate …

On a little visit to Inis Ceithleann Retreat today, we received the most wonderful surprise… it seems Santa and his elves have been here ahead of schedule! Tucked among the festive magic was a note left just for the Pulmonary Fibrosis NI family, which read: “Dear Pulmonary Fibrosis NI family, We have received an anonymous donation from a ‘furniture workshop’ …

Una McMillan, Trustee and Tom McMillan Chair were invited to St Patrick’s Academy Dungannon in May 2025. Ryan McBride held a fundraiser at the school in memory of his Father Paul. Tom and Una were delighted to meet with the pupils and staff and to receive a cheque on behalf of PFNI from Ryan.

In January 2025, Una and Tom visited Cullybacky College where they met with staff and members of the PTA and gave a talk about Pulmonary Fibrosis. They were presented with a cheque from the PTA for £500 raised by Jacqueline Hanna’s Christmas Fireside Quiz, for PFNI. Tom and Una also took the opportunity to thank Jacqueline and her Father Jackie …

2 December 2024 We were privileged to attend Enniskillen Integrated Primary School where we read ‘Pete the Puffling’s Brave Adventure’ to all year groups, approximately 500 children. A fantastic time was had and there was a special appearance from Elfie and Stitch (thank you to Jolene from The Party Bees) who handed out PFNI stickers book marks and love heart …

The Chair and Trustees of Pulmonary Fibrosis NI recently held an Ambassador Appreciation Event to celebrate the advocacy of our wonderful volunteer ambassadors. Workshops were held to brainstorm awareness and fundraising opportunities for the forthcoming year.        

An early start for Una, Ian and Tom on the road from Ballycastle at 6 am and down to Co Armagh to visit the wonderful pupils and staff of Aughnacloy Primary School. We had an assembly hall full of around 200 excited children and teachers, all gathered to learn about Pulmonary Fibrosis and to hear Pete the Puffling’s Brave Adventure. …

Clare Donohoe (Charity Co-ordinator) had the privilege of attending The Lough Erne Golf Club to receive a cheque from the outgoing LEGC Golf Club Captain, Gus Wilson, and Lady Captain, Sharron Myles. Pulmonary Fibrosis NI was the chosen charity for The Lough Erne Golf Club this year, and we are very grateful for the Club’s support. We are looking forward …

I am absolutely thrilled to share that EU-PFF and Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) have officially signed the agreement for the translation and printing of ‘Pete the Puffling’s Brave Adventure’!  With a total approved budget of almost £40K, Pete will soon be spreading awareness of Pulmonary Fibrosis, and comfort to families affected by Pulmonary Fibrosis, across the world. The book is being …

Family and friends of the late Paul McBride gathered at Inis Ceithleann Retreat in September 2025 to present Pulmonary Fibrosis NI with a cheque for £6330 raised Barry Currie, who ran the Belfast Marathon in memory of his dear friend Paul. Thank you for your incredible support Barry.

Our very own Ian Simpson (Trustee) recently completed a half marathon in memory of his dear friend Jimmy Balmer. Ian said “Since losing my good friend Jimmy Balmer in 2022 to Pulmonary Fibrosis I have taken on running the Great North Run, Newcastle Upon Tyne to South Shields, on a yearly basis to raise awareness. I will be there again …

Clare Donohoe (Charity Co-ordinator) took the opportunity to pass a copy of ‘Pete the Puffling’s Brave Adventure’ to Princess Anne’s Lady in Waiting, when she attended the Garden Party in Hillsborough in September 2025.  Clare received a lovely letter of acknowledgement from Buckingham Palace.

Valerie Brown (Ambassador) and Clare Donohoe (Charity Co-ordinator) attended a reception at Fermanagh and Omagh District Council hosted by the Chairman Cllr John McClaughrey. Clare Donohoe and Eileen Connolly attended Fermanagh House to promote the work of PFNI to prospective volunteers.  

Margo Fitzgerald (Ambassador) and Tom McMillan (Chairman) travelled to Keady in Co Armagh on 10/10/25 to meet with the wonderful Nugent family. They had organised two events in memory of their mother and decided that their donation would be given to PFNI. In total they raised £12,387. Margo and Tom spent some time talking to them about the work of …

Pulmonary Fibrosis NI is very proud to announce that our charity purchased two brand new Vauxhall Corsa, on 22nd November 2025. These vehicles will be wrapped with our logos and used to promote the work of PFNI throughout Northern Ireland. They will improve our visibility in the community and enable us to increase awareness about pulmonary fibrosis. In 2026 with …

Valerie recently featured in an edition of the Fermanagh Herald stating her recipe for positive ageing which is built on community and friendship.  We are very luck that Valerie is an Ambassador for Pulmonary Fibrosis NI.

A cheque Presentation was made to PFNI Trustees and Ambassadors at their 2025 AGM. The incredible sum of £4336.50 for Tom Donohoe’s 50th Birthday Memorial Walk up ‘The Stairway to Heaven’ which took part in July 2025 was handed over.                 

Tom and Una recently met up with the McNeill family in Cushendun for a cheque presentation. The McNeill family wanted to do something in memory of their father Seamus. Many of you will remember Seamus as he loved to join our Tuesday morning support group meetings. In total the family raised £8,001. The money will be used to purchase a …

Clare Donohoe & Margaret McManus receive a cheque for £1100 following ‘A Night at the Races’ hosted by Enniskillen Galaxy FC and JT Ryan’s Bar in memory of Tom Donohoe.  

Watch our latest talk from Patricia Hutchinson from Northern Ireland Hospice giving an engaging talk and great tips about safety in the home and prevention of falls.