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This September, Novum Law is tackling a ‘Miles for Meso’ challenge, getting active to raise money for charity and awareness of the threat asbestos continues to pose in the UK today.
With support from across the firm, our expert mesothelioma legal team aims to do 300 miles’ worth of exercise and raise at least £300 for Mesothelioma UK, a leading national charity that supports those affected by the asbestos cancer mesothelioma. We have chosen the 300 figure specifically, to highlight the estimated 300,000 public and commercial buildings in Britain that still contain asbestos.
Throughout the month, our team will be running, cycling, swimming, walking and more, as they compete to see who can cover the most miles and raise the most money for this important cause. We will be sharing regular updates on social media and via our JustGiving page.
Novum Law will also be encouraging as many people as possible to sign Mesothelioma UK’s ‘Don’t Let the Dust Settle’ Parliamentary petition. This calls on the government to commit to taking action against asbestos in public buildings, by setting up a central register listing buildings containing asbestos, and by making plans for the phased removal of asbestos from public buildings over the next 40 years – both of which they have previously rejected doing.
Active threat of asbestos in public buildings
Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that affects the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the stomach (peritoneal mesothelioma). It is caused by exposure to asbestos fibres that scar and damage the inside of the body when breathed in.
The UK has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, with around 2,700 cases per year. Although these numbers are expected to drop, there are growing fears of a future growth in mesothelioma cases caused by the asbestos that can still be found in thousands of buildings built before the asbestos ban in the 1990s including schools, hospitals, offices, and homes.
Although undamaged or contained asbestos poses minimal danger, many of the 300,000-plus public and commercial buildings that contain asbestos are now ageing and deteriorating. There is a growing risk that previously undisturbed asbestos will be damaged or exposed, and its dangerous fibres will be released and potentially breathed in by people including doctors, teachers, shop and office workers, and children.
This makes Mesothelioma UK’s work more important than ever. They provide crucial guidance and support for those affected by mesothelioma, fund and promote vital mesothelioma research and treatment opportunities including clinical trials, and campaign for a future free of this terrible asbestos cancer.
Working together against mesothelioma
Andrew Stinchcombe is a specialist mesothelioma solicitor and Novum Law Director. He says:
“With Mesothelioma UK’s ‘Don’t Let the Dust Settle’ campaign and the Sunday Times’ campaign against asbestos in public buildings, asbestos is firmly in the spotlight and at Novum Law we want to help make it clear that it’s time for decisive action.
“Although we’re already very proud of our expert work supporting clients with mesothelioma compensation claims, our ‘Miles for Meso’ challenge is an opportunity for us to go a step further, raising awareness for Mesothelioma UK and their invaluable work tackling asbestos cancer and supporting mesothelioma patients and carers.
“We can’t wait to get started and are all looking forward to a bit of healthy competition, seeing how far we can go as we get active against asbestos cancer.”
Visit our JustGiving page here to make a donation to Mesothelioma UK, as well as to find information and updates about our Miles for Meso progress and the ‘Don’t Let the Dust Settle’ campaign.
