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

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.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT to the FOUNDER

The deadline for applications for this job opportunity has been extended from 31st July to midnight on 10th August 2023. Please click on the button below to read more about the position and how to apply if you are interested.

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).

Baroness Jenny Jones and Rosamund Adoo Kissi Debrah launching the Clean Air Bill

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, Amanda Ward to produce a full-height statue of Ella in Bronze that will still be situated in the flower garden enclosure in Mountsfield Park, Lewisham

The tragedy of air pollution -- and an urgent demand for clean air

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

Interview with Rosamund on Newsnight on eve of Judicial Review of ULEZ.

The Conversation: Women Raising The Alarm On Air Pollution

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.

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 for her outstanding work campaigning for everyone’s fundamental right to breathe clean air.

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.

CLEAN AIRFOR ALL