ULVERSTON'S Hoad Monument will shine blue next month as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of the asbestos cancer, mesothelioma, and the dangers of asbestos.

The light will shine on the monument on July 1, as part of the national Go Blue for Meso campaign.

This year, for Action Mesothelioma Day on the first Friday in July, landmarks and homes across the UK will light up blue to put a spotlight on mesothelioma.

· Asbestos is still in around 85% of schools, 90% of hospitals and many other public and private buildings.

· More people die from exposure to asbestos than die in road traffic accidents per year.

· Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is entirely preventable.

· Over 2,700 people per year are diagnosed with mesothelioma, the majority die within six months of diagnosis, 60% die within a year and fewer than 10% of people with mesothelioma survive beyond 3 years in the UK.

Vera Rigby organised for the Hoad Monument to light up in memory of Barrie Rigby and all those who have died from Asbestos related diseases.

Vera Rigby said: “This year, we want to show the world that there is no more time to waste in raising awareness and taking action against this tough cancer.

“Go Blue for Meso will therefore be using Action Mesothelioma Day on July 1, 2022, to light up buildings around the UK, as it’s about time the disease gets the attention it deserves.

“I hope that by lighting up Hoad Monument in blue, I will help put a spotlight on a disease that many people know little about.”

The #GoBlueForMeso campaign is part of the UK Mesothelioma Alliance’s ActionMeso campaign, which brings together the diverse mesothelioma community with a single voice.

Dawn McKinley, Chair of the UK Mesothelioma Alliance, said: “Because the use and import of asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, many people assume it’s no longer a problem, but they couldn’t be more wrong.

“If you’re in a school, hospital or other building built before 1999 then there’s a good chance your less than 10 metres away from asbestos.

“The Go Blue for Meso campaign aims to make more people aware of what mesothelioma is, and the ever-present dangers of asbestos.

“There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos, the fibres are so small that thousands of them would fit onto a pin head, so it really is a silent killer.”

For information visit www.actionmeso.org/goblue.