Asthma UK Scotland is looking for 15-year-olds across Scotland with asthma to act as ambassadors for the charity and encourage other youngsters to lead a full and active lifestyle.

One 15-year-old from each of Scotland's 14 health board areas will be chosen to co-ordinate innovative activities - in their school, sports club or church - for other children and young people with the condition, including an event to celebrate World Asthma Day in May 2009.

The successful candidates will receive training and support from Asthma UK Scotland throughout the project and will be guests of honour at a party to mark the charity's 15th Birthday, at Murrayfield Stadium in September.

Shona Haslam, Asthma UK Scotland's National Director, said: 'Scotland has one of the highest rates of childhood asthma in the world and what better way to help address that than to encourage young people with asthma to raise awareness of the condition.

'We have recently been running focus groups with young people across the country and one thing we have consistently heard is they appreciate being able to talk to other youngsters with asthma who understand what it is like, for example, to be bullied because they can't take part in PE. By working with young people themselves, one of the messages we want to get across - to people with asthma but also their teachers or coaches - is that exercise is good for all children and young people - as long as they receive the right support.'

The party is being supported by Scottish Rugby. Dominic McKay, Scottish Rugby's Director of Communications and Public Affairs, said: 'We are delighted to be working with Asthma UK Scotland. As many sportsmen and women have shown, having asthma is no barrier to making it to the top in any sport and we hope this event will encourage even more young people to lead an active lifestyle.'

The party will also feature an address by Shona Robison MSP, Minister for Public Health, and a performance by new Scottish singing star Kevin J Maclean.

Maclean, who has just released his first single and is currently on a nationwide tour, is also going to be working with Asthma UK Scotland. When he was seven, a severe asthma attack left him in hospital for four weeks but this didn't stop him pursuing his singing dream - and this is the message he wants to get across to others with the condition.

Maclean said: 'I am very excited to be working with Asthma UK Scotland and hope I can not only raise awareness of the condition but inspire anyone with asthma to achieve their potential.'

If you were born in 1993 and have asthma, or know someone who is eligible, and want more details on how to be an ambassador for Asthma UK Scotland, please contact Gordon Brown, Asthma UK Scotland's Public Affairs and Communications Manager on 0131 226 2544 or email gbrown@asthma.org.uk

Asthma UK Scotland is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 390,000 people in Scotland whose lives are affected by asthma.

www.asthma.org.uk