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Swindon team runs half marathon to raise money for asbestos charity
On Sunday 21 September a team made up of specialist nurses from the oncology team at the Great Western Hospital (GWH) and lawyers from Novum law in Swindon ran the Bristol half marathon, raising hundreds of pounds for Mesothelioma UK – a charity to support the victims of asbestos diseases and their families.
Known as the Swindon Disease due to the numbers who have been affected in the town, mesothelioma kills thousands of people each year in the UK alone.
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. Anyone still wishing to make a donation can do so by visiting our ‘Make-a-difference’ JustGiving page.”
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.
