EXCLUSIVE: “For Almost Three Years We Have Been Telling You How Dangerous The Air We’re Breathing In Rainham Is. Now I Am In Pain And Struggling For Breath”-Launders Lane Campaigner Rushed To Hospital.

A Launders Lane campaigner from the local steering group in Rainham that has been battling against the toxic landfill site for years, was yesterday rushed into hospital struggling to breathe.

Catherine is currently in hospital attached to an oxygen machine and with intravenous antibiotics for pneumonia. She told the Havering Daily “I’ve heard the horrific experiences of so many similar cases since getting involved with the steering group that fight for us to “Breathe Healthy Air”

After almost a week of what I initially thought was Covid, on Wednesday night 18 June, I settled in for yet another uncomfortable night. I slept with the bedroom window open because it was so hot and stuffy. I initially awoke from slumber to the smell of smoke at around 4am. I didn’t become properly awake until almost 5am, by which time I was literally choking and couldn’t breathe.

It took every painful breath in my body to get ready for a doctor’s appointment to get my MRI scan results at 10.30. The minute I walked into my GP’s office, he said ‘first things first, I have your MRI results but you both look and sound dreadful.’

He was very thorough in checking me over, was very, very interested in the fires in Rainham and sent me straight to Queen’s hospital.

So far they have been so thorough in the extensive testing they have carried out. They too have been very interested in the fires and particularly with the levels of PM2.5 we’ve all been breathing in. It’s totally unacceptable and dangerous. I’ve been left with an extreme case of pneumonia. I’m on oxygen and intravenous antibiotics and still in Queens Hospital.”

Catherine left a message for Havering Council, and the Council Deputy Leader: “Do not go on social media and try to defend the indefensible. For all most three years we have been telling you how dangerous the air we’re breathing is. Now here I am a staunch advocate for the people of Rainham, in pain, struggling for breath and also as mad as possible!”.

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