Swindon & Wiltshire News
Lawyers and nurses pound pavements to raise money for asbestos charity
Two groups of professionals most likely to have contact with sufferers of mesothelioma – commonly known as Swindon Disease – ran the Bristol Half Marathon yesterday (Sunday) to raise money for its victims and their families.
A team made up of specialist nurses from the oncology team at the Great Western Hospital and personal injury lawyers from Novum Law in Swindon hope to raise £1,000 for the charity Mesothelioma UK.
Asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis are particularly prevalent among former Swindon railway works employees, where the material was used inside the boilers of steam engines.
In fact, it is so common in the town that asbestosis and mesothelioma has been dubbed ‘Swindon disease’.
Specialist lung cancer nurse Rachel Smith of the GWH said: “Every day my colleagues and I see the devastating impact that mesothelioma can have on patients and their families. It’s great to do something like this to raise awareness and money for a good cause.”
Graeme Chisholm, who specialises in asbestos disease claims at Novum Law, has conducted dozens of claims for people from the town who have contracted mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses.
Speaking after the race, he said: “As professionals who have dedicated their working lives to helping asbestos victims and their loved ones, it’s great to do this and raise money for a charity that does such vital work.
“We set out to raise £500 but it looks like we might closer to £1,000 thanks to the generosity of all those who have supported us.”
Mesothelioma UK is a national resource centre dedicated to providing specialist information, support and improved care and treatment to the victims of the horrendous asbestos related cancer mesothelioma.
This illness kills an estimated 2,500 people each year in the UK alone – a staggering statistic, leaving thousands of victims and their families completely devastated.
The services of mesothelioma UK are free of charge and rely totally on donations, legacies and fundraising to fund the work that they do.
Anyone wishing to donate to the toal can do so at www.justgiving.com/make-a-difference1
