A MALVERN woman who suffers from breathing problems says she would not be here today if it wasn't for the advice she received from a self-help group.

Former cleaner Alwyn Davidson struggled to cope with life after collapsing with pneumonia.

The 62-year-old was then diagnosed with emphysema, which causes shortness of breath due to the gradual deterioration of the air sacs.

"I was told there was no cure, which came as a bit of a bombshell," said Mrs Davidson, who was not a smoker and who had no idea what caused the disease.

"I was forced to rely on oxygen 24-hours-a-day and this put a strain on my heart.

"After being discharged from hospital I became very depressed, and although I put on a brave face I was feeling desperate inside."

Mrs Davidson, of Hayslan Road, was then referred to the pulmonary class at Malvern Hospital, run by a specialist nurse.

During the weekly session she was given breathing exercises, advice on diet and the chance to speak to other people suffering from lung problems.

"The class totally changed my life and gave me the get up and go to get on with things," she said.

"Although I still need my wheelchair, my new breathing techniques have given me a new lease of life - I can now go out and push my wheelchair which carries my oxygen supply.

"I'm so grateful for the help I've received I'd like to urge people to give generously to lung charities such as these."

Malvern Community Hospital's primary care and hospital manager, Marie McCurry, said they were thrilled to receive praise for their efforts.

"We're very pleased we're able to make a difference," she said.

"The group exists very much to promote self-care and for people to be able to exchange experiences and support each other, and to help in managing their own conditions and cope at home.

"We rely mainly on mainstream funding, but donations to the hospital will enable us to buy specialist equipment for chest conditions that we can give to people to use at home."