27 February 2008

Action Mesothelioma Day in Manchester got off to a colourful start in Albert Square with a sponsored release of blue brown and white ballons representing the types of the deadly asbestos fibre which has affected the lives of so many. The ballons were released by widows who had lost their husband to mesothelioma.

A public meeting had been organised by Greater Manchester Asbstos Victims Support Group (GMAVSG) to mark Action Mesothelioma Day, the day when those whose lives have been touched by mesothelioma are remembered and to remind the public of the campaigns for greater awareness of and better protection from the continuing dangers of asbestos.  The event was attended by mesothelioma sufferers, those who have lost loved ones to the disease, campaigners and support workers.

Trade union representatives, including Health and Safety campaigner Nigel Bryson spoke of the continuing risks to workers from asbestos in the construction industry.  In February last year on one day alone out of 11 sites inspected by the Health and Safety Executive 10 were found to be so dangerous that the building works were shut down by the HSE.

Michael Lees spoke passionately of the dangers faced by teacher, pupils and other workers in schools from asbestos.  Since his wife Gina, a teacher died from mesothelioma he has been a tireless campaigner for better protection for pupils and teachers from exposure to old asbestos in schools. Michael showed a clip from a recent ITN report, shown in the last couple of weeks, which established that children were being exposed to unsafe levels of asbestos in schools.

The valuable work done by the Manchester Mesothelioma Action Group was evident throughout the event.  The group provides support to those whose lives have been affected by mesothelioma,raises funds for research into mesothelioma and to raise awareness of the ever present dangers of asbestos as well as giving their members the confidence to address packed public meetings!  The group expressed their thanks to Tony Whitson and Hazel Bowden of the GMASVG for all their work and support for this essential organisation. 
   
Channel M has marked Action Mesothelioma Day with 2 news reports. The Breakfast news report can be viewed at: Click here