Friday 13 Proves Lucky For Local Mesothelioma Charity

On Friday 13 December, a local asbestos charity received an early Christmas present in the form of a cheque courtesy of a sponsored abseil by Bristol lawyers.

A delegation from the Bristol office of Irwin Mitchell presented a cheque for £1,040 to Sarah Smith of the Avon Mesothelioma Foundation (AMF) at the Christmas lunch of the Bristol and Beyond Asbestos Support Group following the sponsored abseil on 29 September.

Fortunately, the weather remained (just about) dry for the brave abseil team to make it down the 150 foot drop of Sandford Quarry in North Somerset, enjoying views across the Mendips in the process.

An impressive £750 was raised for the AMF and kindly topped up by the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation, (IMCF). An independent registered charity, the IMCF has donated more than £2 million to good causes in the UK and £284,000 in 2018 alone since it was established in 1997.

The abseil team were joined on the day by Dr Anna Bibby, Respiratory Consultant at Southmead Hospital and two family members of Rob Thompson, a mesothelioma patient of Southmead Hospital, and a member of the Bristol and Beyond Asbestos Family Support group.

The Avon Mesothelioma Foundation supports patients with mesothelioma and their families and aids research into treatment for the devastating disease. The incidence of mesothelioma is regrettably increasing with over 2,500 people diagnosed with the condition each year in the UK.

Sarah Smith, a trustee of the Avon Mesothelioma Fund, said: “We are very grateful for the efforts of the abseil team in raising money for us in this way. Without such support from companies and the general public, we would be unable to continue many vital services throughout the region.”

Expert Opinion

“The abseil challenge certainly took us out of our comfort zone. However, we are delighted to have significantly exceeded our sponsorship target to raise much needed funds for this wonderful charity. We are positive that the funds will be put to good use.” Laura Wilkinson - Solicitor

If you would like to raise much needed funds for Avon Mesothelioma Foundation then please contact Sarah Smith, Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Nurse Specialist and one of the trustees of the foundation, at Sarah.Smith@nbt.nhs.uk  or visit the Avon Mesothelioma Foundation website