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?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.
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, 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 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
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).
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 MEMORIAL STATUE
We have commissioned artist, Hannah Stewart to produce a full-height statue of Ella in bronze that will still be situated in the flower garden enclosure in Mountsfield Park, Lewisham
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.
INTERVIEW WITH ROSAMUND ON NEWSNIGHT
On 3rd July 2023, Interview with Rosamund on Newsnight on eve of Judicial Review of ULEZ.
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.
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