Local teens breathe easy with Sing Street star

STAR of smash hit movie ‘Sing Street’, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, has joined forces with Blanchardstown Foróige Youth Service and RTÉ Two Tube presenters Bláthnaid Treacy and Stephen Byrne  to launch a new breath-giving movie competition.

The nationwide Lovin’ Our Lungs movie contest is open to teenagers aged between 12 and 18 and is aimed at highlighting the importance of lung health for a full, active life.

Organised by the Irish Lung Health Alliance, a coalition of 17 charities, in partnership with the Blanchardstown Foróige branch, the top prize is a ‘breathtaking’ adventure experience for the winning club or individual and their friends with Ecoadventure Ireland.

The competition is based on a number of themes – how our lungs work, looking after our lungs and fun lung facts.

Entrants are invited to make a 90-second movie celebrating the importance of lungs and how to look after them.

Regional Youth Officer, Bryan Gavin, said Foróige was very keen to support the initiative given how common lung disease is among young people.

“We are asking people to get inventive and to get out their camera phones and direct some original, engaging and inspiring movies on lung health and how to best look after our lungs,” he said.

“With amazing prizes to be won, what’s not to love about Lovin’ Our Lungs?”

Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, who has shot to fame after rave reviews for ‘Sing Street’, says his lungs are one of his most prized assets.

“For me, a healthy pair of lungs means that there are no holds barred when it comes to acting out a scene or singing a ballad,” the 16-year-old said.

“I need to bring my ‘A-game’ on screen, so I make sure to look after my voice in terms of diet, hydration, and getting enough rest, but most important of all is that I don’t smoke and avoid exposing myself to smoke.

“Apart from irritating and drying the throat, smoking would seriously affect my lung function and with it my airflow and vocal range.

“Plus, while my character Cosmo in ‘Sing Street’ may have had to go and set up a band to win the girl, one sure way to put off a love interest is to smoke.

“So I’d encourage budding film-makers out there to get rolling and show their creative genius when it comes to lovin’ our lungs.”

Entry details for the competition can be found at www.lovinourlungs.ie.

The closing date for entries is Sunday, May 22, and the campaign is supported by RTÉ’s Two Tube, which will showcase the winning entry live on air on Friday, May 27.