On August 4th 2018, Bob Mason died of IPF. He was a very much loved Dad and Husband.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a type of terminal lung disease characterised by a progressive and irreversible decline in lung function. IPF scars your lungs and so reduces the efficiency of your breathing. The cause is unknown. 

About 5 million people are affected globally. Latest research from the British Lung Foundation suggests about 6,000 people are diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) every year in the UK.  Average life expectancy following diagnosis is about four years. 5,000 people die each year from IPF in the UK (Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis). That’s 66% more than died in Road Traffic Accidents throughout 2017.

Despite the large numbers of deaths - and the fact that the number of diagnoses are increasing year on year - the mechanisms underlying IPF are poorly understood and there is no cure.

The charity Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis was founded in 2013 by patients, family members & IPF specialists.

We recognised the need for a national IPF charity focusing on improving the quality of life for patients with pulmonary fibrosis and IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) and funding research.

I'm raising money for APF to raise awareness and funds for vital research into this horrible disease.