Today was a landmark case, a 7 year fight has resulted in air pollution being recognised on Ella’s death certificate. Hopefully this will mean mean many more children’s lives being saved. Thank you everyone for your continued support.
After 6 years of fighting the judge has agreed to a new inquest into Ella Roberta’s death and we are absolutely overwhelmed. I would like to thank everyone for their continued support as we move forward to a new inquest.
I never tire of seeing my daughter’s gorgeous face. Most importantly history will show through her psssing she will save thousands upon thousands of lives. RIP Baba
Ella went to bed around 21:00 on Valentines 2013 after I read Beethoven Love Letters to her. In the early hrs of the morning on Feb 15 she had her final attack. Els was loving, bright, talented & funny who had a great future. 10yrs on she is missed immensely by family & friends.
'I want my daughter's death to be a turning point in the fight against air pollution' – Rosamund Kissi-Debrah writes on
#WorldEnvironmentDay
My piece today in the Huffington Post.
Tomorrow I’ll be marching from Hyde park to Parliament square with hundreds of mothers who like me feel powerless about air pollution & climate change. I keep on hoping Govt will act swiftly with 2.6 million kids breathing toxic air and asthma on the rise
Please demand a New Clean Air Act from Govt. 1.1M kids in the UK have asthma, over 150 kids have died from asthma since Ella’s death. In London 1 in 10 kids have asthma & in summer can rise to 1 in 7. Dr Grigg “Air Pollution is equivalent to passive smoking 10 cigarettes daily”
ACTION REQUIRED! Please sign & share this petition with your networks. The NHS waiting list is 7.7M; its a health crisis. We need a debate about clean air & the impact air pollution is having on everyones health today. 1K signed this wk. Lets get it to 10K
When one’s daughter is the first person in the whole wide world to have air pollution on their death certificate. Still 😭😭😭 and will be forever more. Such a brutal, brutal passing. She’s at rest now
On the Eve of what should’ve been Ella’s 18th. We remember the happiness she brought to many. Els wanted to be remembered for her kindness, sense of humour & how much she loved her friends & family especially the duo. Her death in the end will save millions of lives. Ataa Girl!💔
Haven’t heard air pollution mentioned
@COP26
why? Every year 8.7M people die prematurely due to air pollution caused by fossil fuels. My challenge to world leaders is straight forward, implement new
@WHO
guidelines in law in your respective countries. 80% of lives will be saved.
Happy heavenly 18th to my darling Ella. Thank you for your support we’re overwhelmed. Her death will save millions of lives around the world & she’d like that. Ella was worried about CYP & asthma who she met in hospitals. Pls donate to a permanent memorial
2 boxes of evidence and I am done. I am so, so grateful for all the support and lovely messages. Back on Friday for submissions then it will be over to the coroner.
Ella inspiring her aunt to get on a bike this Xmas. I never thought I would see the day when this gas guzzling one (my beloved Cuz) would get on two wheels. The love of Ella Roberta remains strong ; Xmas 2020 ❤️
Receiving my CBE from King Charles III for services to Public Health. A truly memorable occasion for me, my darling duo & ever supportive Aunt. Its 10yrs since beloved Ella died. My promise to the King, I’ll continue to work tirelessly so other families don’t suffer the same fate
#justiceforella
I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to all the press who’ve done a great job on reporting Ella’s case & have respectfully left to one side the more harrowing aspects of her short life. We are all struggling to get through it at the moment especially her friends.
This newly appointed
@WHO
BreatheLife Ambassador a.k.a yours truly (just woken up and its sinking in). Can you tell how thrilled I am? It’s a dream come true. Back to Earth now, I will be talking at the Pipe Factory today between 1-2:30pm. Please sign up:
You may not like my evidence on air pollution & health & I completely accept that. You have every right to dispute the figures but calling me a monkey in 2023 is incredibly low indeed & yet again it demonstrates your absolute lack of intelligence. Don’t do it as it upsets my kids
Yesterday I officially became an Advocate for
@WHO
promoting Air Quality & Health. My aim is to improve public health through advocacy, leadership, campaign work, networking, education and standard setting. All my work will be carried out in memory of my beloved Ella Roberta.
London LTNs: Motor traffic reduced by 47%, study finds - BBC News was sent this & it made me despair. What a load of rubbish, no respectable scientist will back this. Londoners are fooled no more. Data was collected May 20-21, during the pandemic no less.
Oh my Goodness, we met his majesty today. What an awesome experience, most of you who support us on here will know we had much to talk about. He knew about my work, unbelievable and most important of all he knew about Ella Roberta and has been watching. I got goose pimples.
'It’s the only way forward': Madrid bans polluting vehicles from city centre Hospital admissions in London are worse. We have to make a decision as a nation what is more important premature deaths or money? Pollution in UK is worse than any of these cities
To mark what would’ve been a milestone in Ella’s life please bring a jar with a tea light. Ella’s Fdn is raising funds for a permanent memorial for the 10th anniversary of her passing in 2023, please click link:
#Ella18
#VigilforElla
#lightacandleforElla
Without Ulez expansion, more children are going to die - New Statesman Tues will be a momentous day in the fight for Clean Air. It’ll be 3847 days since I saw Ella on that fatal morning, 27 CYP lost their lives to asthma in 2013. Lowering exposure is vital
Dear
@10DowningStreet
, in PMQ’s last wk
@CarolineLucas
asked you to meet us, you didn’t respond to the request. In your response you claimed the UK’s air targets are world beating, as you can see from the letter from health professionals it is anything but. We’re in a PHe crisis!
Yesterday 3 generations of twins at Buckingham Palace. With Aunty Esther who met the Queen when she visited Ghana (1961). My aunt & I are both wearing traditional cloth Kente which the King recognised immediately. Mine was from cloth my late mum left so she was with us in spirit.
Amazing! Since Friday we’ve reached 5K; half way to Downing St to hand in petition. NHS waiting list numbers are highest ever; it’s vital we take action. Dirty air impacts every organ in the body & affects our health from cradle to grave. Let’s get to 10K!
The original news shopper article that led to a complete stranger solving Ella’s sudden death. One can never thank the kindness of strangers enough. “Look at the pollution level on the night she passed “ he wrote. I had no idea what he meant & lucky didn’t dismiss it entirely.
My first official photo shoot last yr was an enjoyable experience. The team were incredibly supportive & kind. They actually loved my clothes which was reassuring. They were great when I said I didn't want the photos altered at all. I am quite happy as I am & too busy for make up
Today is World Environment Day. Children everywhere have a right to breathe Clean Air. Ella’s right to life was breached, we miss her everyday. I dedicate this film to my beloved mum. Ella was her 1st grandchild. My mum took her last breath on Saturday June 1st 2019. RIP Mum/ELS
This morning at Forest Hill School with
@SadiqKhan
after announcing the ULEZ will be London wide. I have lobbied for this as I believe all children must have the Right to Breathe Clean Air & it must never be about where you live. Air Pollution has made the gap in inequality wider
So when
@BBCBreakfast
said “we have surprise for you someone would like to say hi who admires your work”. Haha I really thought it was going to be my kids. I just had no clue at all. Tune in tomorrow morning to watch.
Tomo
@BBCBreakfast
an important film I loved making.
We bring together the south London mother & the Austrian-American father both fighting for clean air for all
When Arnie met Rosamund to talk about Ella
Thankyou 🙏
@rosamund_ElsFdn
@Schwarzenegger
Watching the recent panic over the corona virus & asking myself why people aren’t panicking over the toxic air they breathe. In London alone 9,000 people die yearly from it. Gov showed yesterday that they know what a public health emergency is & have chosen not take it seriously
Thank you
@dpcarrington
for your continued coverage of all matters relating to air pollution. My gratitude to you and
@sandralaville
for covering the inquest and the judgement. It is a landmark decision and my hope is in the future it will save many more lives.
Thank you to everyone in health who has supported the expansion of the ULEZ. I pray going forward it will
make your jobs slightly easier. Prevention is better than cure.
Thank you
@natalieben
for mentioning Ella in
@UKHouseofLords
. It’s so appreciated by myself, Ella’s siblings, extended family & all CYP who suffer from lung & respiratory illnesses. May the brave decision by the coroner be used to save millions of lives around the world. RIP Ella
May I remind all no matter what side of politics you are on not to gloat if a scheme creates more air pollution for some but you’re better off. Just read latest research & excess deaths alone made me shed a tear. Poorer people are baring the brunt for this injustice so be kind
Deeply honoured to be amongst these amazing women. Thank you to everyone who voted for me. Grateful to respiratory teams who do so much to keep CYP going. As we continue to learn more about the impact of air pollution on health, my hope is one day no child will die from asthma.
Pls make sure as you celebrate my fab
@WHO
appointment with me, say a massive thank you to
@DrMariaNeira
who has believed in me from day one & has done everything to get me officially on board. We can now champion children’s human rights to breathe Clean Air.She loves the duo too
Today is 11yrs that Ella suddenly left us. Last yr it took months to recover from her anniversary & today is just as painful. In this photo I’m telling her on her last birthday she must continue to fight as being without her is unthinkable and I was right. RIP Baba we love you💔
Read your emails & messages as a family this past yr. Now we’ve enough evidence via lung functions to ask
@MayorofLondon
to withdraw his support for LTNs. Worryingly its made asthma exacerbations worse depending where one lives
#socialjustice
#inequalityinhealth
#lungapartheid
It was an honour to take part in the panel. I hope to be there in person next year. It has been so long
@Schwarzenegger
, see you at COP26. It’s every child’s human right to breathe clean air & all Govts must enshrine WHO limits into law. Govt have a legal duty to protect life.
She was a healthy, happy 7-year-old. Two years later, her death became the first in the U.K. officially caused by pollution.
Today, her mother,
@rosamund_ElsFdn
is speaking up about the dangers of air pollution at the Austrian World Summit founded by
@Schwarzenegger
@ArnoldSCI
.
Would like to start an scheme to plant tress all over the UK in Ella’s memory and others who have passed from respiratory illnesses. just heard 1300+ passed from C-19 & I feel something positive should be done. Devastating & we’re only in the first week of 2021. Can anyone help?
Dear
@Keir_Starmer
, there’s one piece of legislation that’ll change the lives of everyone. We were told
#EllasLaw
(Clean Air Act) would be in the manifesto 😳. It’s 2yrs since the awful Environmental bill became law.
Imagine if 36,000 people died each yr from drinking dirty H2O.
Thank you
@CarolineLucas
it was emotional to be there especially referencing Ella’s birthday next wk. Many illnesses eg dementia, depression, cancers could be avoided if urgent action was taken. Thank you to MPs who supported the bill including
@BarrySheerman
sitting next to you.
An honour to introduce
#EllasLaw
in the Commons, named for 9 year old Ella Roberta Adoo-Kissi Debrah - the first person to have air pollution listed on her death certificate
Breathing clean air should be a human right. Ella's Law would make it so
@EllaRobertaFdn
@CleanAirLondon
Her name isn’t some London girl. Her name is Ella Roberta & she stood for many things even at 9. She fought so hard to breathe, how dare you? Does she not fit your narrative. Insult me b’cos I want equality & justice pls let her rest. If you’re human know she has siblings.
We have official accounts from respiratory teams that LTNs exacerbate asthma symptoms. It wld as it’s about exposure. If you’re passionate about Clean Air and support LTNs you’re part of the problem. Medical drs have no need to lie they’re highlighting where patients are living.
If you racial abuse me its against the law & I’ll ask my legal counsel to take action. I do not play when it comes to racial matters & this is the reason many like myself will never stand for public office & our society is the poorer for it. Don’t be threatened by my intelligence
Humble apologies to all in Lewisham especially residents from Black, Asian & other minorities who I convinced to take part in consultation & I hoped results would be honoured. You were right & I was wrong, the leading questionnaire consultation was a farce.
No more lung apartheid by implementing LTNs that hurt red route communities. It’s classism & racism. We want to breathe air just like you. You think you’re a Clean Air Campaigner, you think you fight for us but its the working class & minorities paying with their health not you.
4yrs today I knew without a doubt Ella was poisoned by the toxic air she inhaled. It was a matter of convincing the Attorney General I’d new evidence to quash the original inquest. Forgive me today if I’m emotional & exhausted it’s been a long Rd. Thank you to the angels l’ve met
Sadiq Khan Declared Climate Emergency – He's Building This Huge Road Anyway - VICE I have spoken about this issue numerous times. Declaring a climate emergency is pointless if actions after do nothing to improve Air Quality. Asthma deaths continue to rise.
The air we breathe is killing us. If we aren’t dying we are more ill with diseases such as respiratory conditions, cancer, dementia, miscarriages. It affects us all not just Ella & my twins. Pls take the air we breathe seriously it’s a public health crisis
Mother wins right to seek new inquest into girl's death linked to air pollution As Ella’s family we paid the ultimate price. Ella fought to her last breath but for children everywhere my hope is now Govts globally will clean up the air so you can breathe.
There is never enough time for those we love. Mum was laid to rest on Thursday. She passed away on the 1st June a month after Ella won the right to a new inquest. She never got over the death of her 1st grandchild. May she continue to RIP now her day is done. Sleep well both of u
Justice delayed is justice denied. Ella’s right to life was breached due to illegal levels of air pollution. As we head to the 10th anniversary of her death we await justice. The Children of Lewisham make sure she isn’t forgotten. “Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah say her name” they sing🙌🏽
Morning
@GreenJennyJones
hope you’re still on cloud 9. Thank you for working with everyone to make sure the Clean Air bill succeeds. Its crucial as Gov missed air quality targets. This is the only bill to protect public health as the Environment Act was far too weak to improve AQ
I rarely block anyone but if you send racists tweets about Ella Roberta consider it done. What has her race got to do with her death? And to racists, I’m not an immigrant but a proud head of year and head of 6th form before my daughter passed away. Ignorance is still alive I see
My day began having breakfast with
@Schwarzenegger
. I told him of Els’s battle to live. I wrote some notes & focused on them as I realised how incredibly moved he was. I couldn’t afford any eye contact as sometimes when you start crying you can’t stop & I had an important message
Awww, just looking back as we as a family approach what would have been Ella’s 18th. Tonight we looked at some of her favourite quotes, this is one we loved. Those that met her will know in her short time, she had a lot to say about everything ❤️
Thank you everyone mission accomplished, amazing response. Our application to the High Court will be put in, in a fortnight. It will be up to a High Court Judge now to decide whether the Late Ella Roberta will get another inquest posthumously. Ella’s siblings & I are v grateful
Look deep into my eyes “Never use the pain & suffering of a child to further your agenda if you don’t believe in true equality for all”. We see you, we see the greenwashing and remember our lives matter too. We don’t all breathe the same air no matter what your skewed data says.
I think of children & young people in Delhi often 😢. Children everywhere have the right to breathe Clean Air. No child in 2020 should die due to filthy air. Ella was compassionate, funny & caring. I pray she wins for children everywhere, we tried so hard to save her. RIP Baba 😭
Lewisham Residents must be aware that I lodged a formal objection against the LTN to the Mayor and Cabinet. Of course that have to respond which they haven’t so far but they still have time otherwise they can answer to a high court judge why they have ignored it.
Making this very clear to all who criticise. Ella became ill in Oct 2010, by Dec she was in her 1st coma. No one knew what was wrong. If she was hospitalised 30 times, where was the time to move? Between teaching, being at her bedside & looking after her siblings I just breathed
Today is my birthday & grateful for being given another yr of life. I’ll spend it as always being a supportive mum firstly & continuing to work with health professionals/politicians to improve health for ‘everyone’. Where you’re able to, kindly support Clean Air. Life is short ❤️
So, so emotional,2 weeks time is the second anniversary of Ella’s inquest. It began on November 30th and the verdict was on December 16 2020. A landmark victory ✌️
The air we breathe must be cleaned up by Gov, otherwise kids will continue to die. Since Ella’s death over 150 kids under the age of 19 have died from asthma alone. Prof Grigg- “air pollution is equivalent to passive smoking 10 cigarettes daily”. A new Clean Air Act is essential
"The state of her lungs were appalling - her death was preventable."
Ella Kissi-Debrah was just 9 years old when she died from an asthma attack, but a new inquest could soon make it the first official case in the UK where cause of death is attributable to air pollution.
Could I please ask the public NOT to share Ella’s record of inquest. As a family we hadn’t seen it. It made me gag last night. It’s Ella’s death certificate & she absolutely wouldn’t want it shared. Although not here we still respect her privacy
@JocelynCockburn
@Angela__Patrick
This is what the UK really looks like no wonder our NHS is at breaking point. We’ve the worse asthma in Europe, NHS waiting lists is at an all time high. Over 1.1 million children have asthma, 250,000+ in London alone, up to 24 die every yr & you don’t want to clean up the air?
My moment this yr was when
@MayorofLondon
announced at a Black History Event, my advocacy work “will save millions of lives”. Such recognition allows me to live with my broken heart. Yearning for Ella doesn’t leave but she wanted me to live & I take joy in my beloved twins & Clee
Today 11yrs ago Ella was laid to rest after a moving ceremony at St Swithun’s. Her life was too short but her impact worldwide. Ella was talented, funny, loyal, loved her family especially her siblings.Emissions from traffic caused one of the worst cases of asthma ever in the UK.
6 yrs ago today Els had taken her last breath & life has never been the same. After 2 yrs I had to stop crying for the sake of her siblings & my sanity. I miss her daily & a piece of my heart will be broken forever. Today young people will hold 2 mins silence for her. RIP Baba 💔