CLEAN AIR
FOR ALL
READ ELLA’S STORY““We believe in a world where everyone can breathe air that is free from toxic pollution, regardless of where they live, their economic status or their ethnic background.””
Rosamund, Ella’s mum
ABOUT ELLA
Ella Roberta Adoo Kissi Debrah was born happy and healthy. By the age of seven she had been diagnosed with asthma. At the age of nine she had suffered a fatal asthma attack. It took her mother years of campaigning for the role of air pollution to be recognised: Ella is the first person in the world to have air pollution listed as a cause of death on her death certificate.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?OUR CAMPAIGNS AND UPDATES
The latest news and announcements from the Foundation. Find out how we’ve pushed air pollution up the news agenda, and discover our new campaigns. From grassroots activism to government-level campaigning.
Ella’s Law reintroduced in the House of Commons
On 1st July 2025, Rosamund attended Parliament to hear The Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill being reintroduced in the House of Commons by Sian Berry MP.
Rosamund speaks at roundtable during London Climate Action Week
On 24th June 2025, Rosamund spoke at a roundtable event organised by the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK.
Rosamund speaks at the Global Ethical Stocktake ahead of COP30
On 24th June 2025, Rosamund was invited to speak at the European Regional Dialogue for the Global Ethical Stocktake ahead of COP30 later this year.
Rosamund joins walk to Parliament Square on Clean Air Day
On 19th June 2025, Rosamund joined 100 doctors, nurses, patients and activists at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children who walked and wheeled their way to Parliament Square to mark Clean Air Day.
Rosamund joins Imperial College in an Honorary role
On 19th June 2025, it was announced that Rosamund has joined Imperial College London’s Environmental Research Group as an Honorary Practice Fellow.
Rosamund meets Mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotheram
On 11th June 2025, Rosamund met with Steve Rotheram and Counsellor Anthony Burns, to discuss ways of working together to improve health outcomes for CYP in the Liverpool City Region.
Interview with Rosamund on Electric Evolution podcast
On 13th May 2025, Rosamund appeared on the Electric Evolution podcast, a show which explores the journey towards a more sustainable future.
Permanent Statue for Ella Roberta Unveiled in Lewisham, London
Members of the public donated to create a permanent statue of Ella Roberta Adoo Kissi Debrah, which was unveiled today in her hometown of Lewisham. Ella is the first person in the world to have air pollution recorded as her cause of death, and the statue will reside in Mountsfield Park, close to Ella’s home and the South Circular Road, the emissions from which caused her tragic death at the age of 9.
Rosamund attends the ULEZ 1 Year Report launch
On 7th March 2025, as a guest of the Mayor of London, Rosamund attended a launch to hear the results of the first year of the ULEZ expansion to the whole of London.
Rosamund speaks at the Air Quality Forum in Brussels
On 26th February 2025, Rosamund addressed delegates at the Air Quality Forum: Understanding the New European Air Quality Directive and Its Implications.
Rosamund meets with Secretary of State, Wes Streeting
On 6th February 2025, Rosamund spent the morning with Secretary of State Wes Streeting. They discussed the impact of air pollution on the nation’s health.
Rosamund opens the Local Government Association’s ‘Health Inequalities’ debate
On 5th February 2025, Rosamund delivered an opening keynote address to inspire an audience of around 100 leaders from local government, public health, academia and the voluntary sector.
Rosamund meets Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
On 8th January 2025, Rosamund met with Andy Burnham to discuss ways of working together to improve health outcomes for CYP in Greater Manchester.
New Report Finds Child Asthma Deaths Linked to Air Pollution: Rosamund responds
On 12th December 2024, Rosamund called on the Government to act now to prevent more senseless child deaths from asthma following the release of the National Child Mortality Database's thematic report ‘Child Deaths due to Asthma or Anaphylaxis’.
Rosamund addresses student healthcare professionals at St George’s, University College London.
On 10th December 2024, Rosamund was a guest speaker at St George's, University College London. The teaching event focused on health inequalities and raising awareness about the impact of air pollution.
Q&A Session with Rosamund at The Institute of Health Visiting Conference
On 4th December 2024, Rosamund was a guest speaker at the Institute of Health Visiting's Leadership Conference.
Rosamund’s portrait on display at the National Portrait Gallery
On 12th November 2024, Rosamund was a guest of The National Portrait Gallery for the Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize Awards.
Government ministers apologise to Rosamund over Ella’s death
On 31st October 2024 a statement was issued by three government departments expressing sincere condolences to Rosamund and her family for Ella's death after she was exposed to excessive air pollution.
Q&A with Rosamund at Sheffield University
On 9th October 2024, Rosamund was a guest speaker at The Grantham Centre Annual Symposium, Sheffield University.
Memorial Service for the life of Ella Roberta Adoo-Kissi-Debrah
On 8th September 2024 over 200 people attended a memorial service to celebrate the life of Ella Roberta.
Healthcare Professionals ‘Ride for Ella’ on International Clean Air Day
On 7th September 2024, to mark the UN’s International Clean Air Day, Ride for Their Lives travelled to Lewisham to raise awareness about the need to clean up the air we breathe.
Olympic Champion Supports Healthcare Professionals on their ‘Ride for Ella’
Team GB’s Olympic Triathlon Champion Alex Yee, supported health professionals and the Ella Roberta Foundation today to mark the UN’s International Clean Air Day, 7th September 2024.
Rosamund addresses Clean Air South delegates at the University of Southampton
On 16th July 2024, Rosamund delivered a talk to Clean Air South delegates at the University of Southampton’s (UoS) Future Towns Innovation Hub.
Rosamund attends the Austrian World Summit
On 20th June 2024, Rosamund attended the Austrian World Summit as a guest of the Schwarzenegger Foundation.
Rosamund speaks at the Association of Respiratory Nurses Annual Conference
On 17th May 2024 Rosamund was the keynote speaker at the Association of Respiratory Nurses (ARNS) Annual Conference in Brighton.
Interview with Rosamund on Media Storm podcast
On 15 May 2024, Rosamund appeared on the investigative and current affairs podcast, Media Storm.
Q&A + PANEL DISCUSSION WITH ROSAMUND AT THE WIRED HEALTH FESTIVAL
On 19th March, Rosamund was a guest speaker at the 2024 Wired Health Festival in London.
Launch Of Ella’s Reading Corner
On 5th March 2024, Rosamund and Ella’s siblings attend Holbeach primary school for the launch of Ella’s Reading Corner.
Rosamund named Time Out’s Community Hero of the Year
In December 2023, Rosamund was named Time Out’s Community Hero of the Year in recognition of her tireless work throughout the year to make the capital pollution-free.
Rosamund receives a CBE
On 8th November 2023, King Charles presented Rosamund with a CBE for her services to public health.
Find time to take the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill through the House of Commons
Please sign our petition
INTERVIEW WITH ROSAMUND ON NEWSNIGHT
On 3 rd July 2023, Rosamund was interviewed on Newsnight on the eve of a judicial review of ULEZ.
BLACK FEMALE ICONS OF LEWISHAM VOTE
Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah received the most votes from the public in the Brockley Max "Black Icons" competition.
BACK ELLA’S LAW TO SAVE LIVES
Ask your MP to support and vote in favor of the clean air (Human Right) bill (Ella’s Law).
Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah honoured with international lung health award
Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah has been honoured with the annual European Lung Foundation (ELF) Award 2022 for her outstanding work campaigning for everyone’s fundamental right to breathe clean air.
The Conversation: Women Raising The Alarm On Air Pollution
On 5th September 2022, Rosamund appeared on BBC World Service alongside Bhavreen Kandhari to discuss Air Pollution, her own personal story and what needs to be done to tackle this. It's available on BBC Sounds to listen again.
ELLA’S LAW
Green party peer Jenny Jones is pushing a new clean air law after it won first place in the House of Lords ballot for private members’ bills. Ella’s Law is what people are calling the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill, introduced to Parliament by Baroness Jenny Jones in May 2022, named after Ella Adoo Kissi Debrah, the first person in England to have air pollution named as a cause of death by a coroner.
RESPONSE TO AIR QUALITY TARGETS
Rosamund Adoo Kissi Debrah, has criticised the Government’s low ambition in air quality target setting; “These unambitious targets, that do not need to be reached for another 18 years, condemn another generation of children to breathe dirty air,” she said. "I am responding to this public consultation in my personal capacity as a mother of three children, one of whom tragically had her life cut short because of air pollution".
ART & AIR POLLUTION
The Foundation has collaborated with two artists to highlight the link between air pollution and human health, as part of We Are Lewisham. The exhibition of paintings by Sarah Stirk and Gina Allen is open for two weeks this summer, as part of the Mayor's London Borough of Culture 2022 and will also host a day of children's talks.
INQUEST & CORONER’S REPORT
In December 2020, London, in what is believed to be a global first, Deputy Coroner Phillip Barlow ruled that Ella Adoo Kissi Debrah died as a direct result of air pollution. Several months later, the Coroner issued a Prevention of Future Deaths PFD report which expressed his concern about the lack of legally binding air quality targets, lack of public information and appropriate doctor training.
THE FOUNDATION AT COP26
In October 2021, Rosamund led a delegation of mothers at COP26, to deliver a letter to Alok Sharma, the President of COP. The letter was addressed to Heads of State and delegates of the climate event, and was signed by nearly 500 groups from 44 countries. It was one of the biggest mobilisations of parents on any issue ever.
CLEAN AIR: WOMEN’S WORK?
To celebrate International Women's Day, the Foundation convened a webinar, bringing together some of the top names in air pollution campaigning; Dr Maria Neira, World Health Organisation; Baroness Jenny Jones, a Green Party peer, Bhavrine Khandari, co-founder of Warrior Moms, a collection of mothers from all over India fighting air pollution.
A TED TALK BY ROSAMUND
The tragedy of air pollution — and an urgent demand for clean air. Rosamund shares her heartbreaking story, and how breathing clean air is every child’s human right.
CLEAN AIR & HEALTH SUMMIT
This meeting of health professionals, convened by the Mayor of London, focused on the Coroner’s report from Ella’s death. Professor Chris Whitty said “air pollution is everybody’s problem” but it can be solved.
ONE YEAR ON…
It is one year since Coroner Philip Barlow published the Prevention of Future Deaths Report following the landmark ruling that air pollution contributed to 9 year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah's death from severe asthma.
Clearing the Air – Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah on BBC Radio 4
Rosamund appeared on “Clearing the Air”, a BBC Radio Four programme, to discuss Ella’s case, air pollution, and how the law needs to be changed. You can listen on demand on BBC Sounds.
Act now for cleaner air
Air pollution can cause asthma and other potentially fatal conditions, but many parents are not aware of their children’s exposure to it, says Rosamund Adoo Kissi Debrah, WHO BreatheLife ambassador and founder of the Ella Roberta Family Foundation - NURSERY WORLD
SENIOR HEALTH LEADERS SAY THE GOVERNMENT MUST SET MORE AMBITIOUS TARGETS TO REDUCE HEALTH IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION
Leading health organisations, including the RCP, and those with lived experience have written an open letter to Minister Jo Churchill urging the Department to commit to reducing air pollution from PM2.5 to 10μg m-3 by 2030. The government’s proposal to reach 10μg m-3 by 2040 does not go far enough given the grave impacts on health.
TOP DOCTORS TELL GOVERNMENT TO SPEED UP WAR AGAINST AIR POLLUTION
Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, whose daughter Ella died from an asthma attack, is campaigning for cleaner air in London. BEN GURR FOR THE TIMES.