About Us
Who are Mums for Lungs?
We're the UK's leading grassroots campaign for clean air, working to protect children's health from toxic air pollution.
We began in Brixton in 2017, when a group of us on parental leave noticed how polluted our streets were while out walking with our babies, and decided to do something about it.
Today we raise awareness of the health impacts of air pollution and campaign for effective solutions to tackle it.
What we do
Image: Sarah Pull
We’re people-powered, raising awareness of air pollution from the grassroots level all the way up to government ministers.
We have a strong volunteer network across the country, and we support them to talk to friends, family, neighbours and schools, share our free resources and engage with their councillors and MPs - including through our regular email and postcard campaigns.
Through letters to government, consultation responses, parliamentary committee submissions, media appearances and years of relationship-building with parents, schools, councils, Mayors and MPs, we are now recognised as a major stakeholder in the UK conversation about air pollution.
Our Impact
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100,000+ flyers and posters distributed
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2000+ emails to MPs, councillors and ministers
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1000+ media appearances
Some of our campaign wins:
We have been a driving force behind the rollout of School Streets across the country, beginning in Lambeth, London with a petition to the council in 2018. Lambeth went on to commit to installing a School Street outside every eligible primary school in the borough.
During our 2024 Greater Manchester Mayoral and local election campaigns, Mayor Andy Burnham committed to 100 School Streets by 2028, and Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig committed to School Streets at 25 per cent of Manchester schools by 2029.
We campaigned for a London-wide Ultra Low Emission Zone from the start, rallying individuals and organisations to support it throughout its rollout.
We campaigned against the Mayor of London's endorsement of Ecodesign wood burning stoves; he subsequently withdrew his support.
We were a third party in the 2025 Dieselgate class action, securing law firm Mishcon de Reya pro bono and winning public access to unredacted files that diesel car manufacturers sought to keep hidden.
“Thank you Mums for Lungs, for showing us the way”
Join Mums for Lungs
Image: Ruth Board
If you care about air pollution, you’ve come to the right place! Everyone is welcome - we began as mums on maternity leave and have grown to become a network for everyone.
Most of our volunteers have no specialist background in air pollution, and give as much or as little time as their lives allow. You don’t have to be a parent to get involved, and we have volunteers all over the country.
You’re welcome to join one of our virtual monthly meetings - we’re a friendly bunch who enjoy a good chat over tea or wine! We’re also happy to give advice over the phone, so please contact us if you need help or support.
Meet the team
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![Close-up of a woman's face with curly brown hair, smiling, outdoors with blurred colorful flowers in the background, wearing a blue top.]()
Jemima Hartshorn
Founder and Director
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![A smiling woman with glasses and brown hair standing outdoors among colorful red, yellow, and green leaves. She is wearing a yellow top, a gray knitted jacket, and a light gray knitted cardigan. She has a chunky blue necklace and earrings.]()
Jane Dutton
Digital Communications Manager
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![Close-up of a smiling woman with long dark hair, wearing a red patterned shirt, standing outdoors with colorful foliage and city buildings in the background.]()
Ruth Fitzharris
Campaigner
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![A woman with long red hair smiling outdoors, wearing a denim jacket and a navy shirt, with colorful plants and a city skyline in the background.]()
Liz Godfrey
Manchester Co-ordinator
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![Portrait of a woman with short brown hair, smiling, wearing a green top, a dark green jacket, and an orange scarf, standing outdoors in front of red and green leafy plants with a city skyline and tall buildings blurred in the background.]()
Sharon Erdman
Volunteer Co-ordinator
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![A young woman with long curly dark hair, smiling, wearing a black top, hoop earrings, and a silver necklace, standing in front of a plain light-colored wall.]()
Anna Lincoln
Schools Lead
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![A smiling woman wearing a white T-shirt with 'Mums for Lungs' written on it, holding a colorful drawing, standing in a park during a community event or rally.]()
Kirsten de Vos
Birmingham Spokesperson
