CONSIDERING our humble town has the highest asbestos-related mortality rate in England and Wales you might be surprised that the majority of support available comes from volunteers and charities.
Bob Pointer has, quite literally, single-handedly championed the rights of those unwitting victims who, in their roles as welders, sheet metal workers, pipefitters and shipwrights, were exposed to a material nobody anticipated would have such fatal repercussions.
It wasn’t until 1999 that asbestos was completely banned.
Before then, shipyard workers had ‘snowball fights’ with handfuls of the fluffy white material used for its ‘magical’ ability to resist fire; they ironically used it to protect themselves from heat; and they did so while putting their faith in their employers.
While many industries and trades were exposed to the cancer-causing killer it was those involved in shipbuilding which were hit hardest.
They were also some of the most deprived areas in the country.
And now we are counting the cost.
But thanks to the likes of Bob the devastating diagnosis of asbestosis or mesothelioma is mitigated by the support offered by groups like Cumbria Asbestos Related Disease Support.
We all know someone affected by asbestos exposure. And we all owe Bob our gratitude.
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