Bristol Team Drop 150ft To Raise £1,500 for Asbestos Charity

A team of workplace illness lawyers from the Bristol office of Irwin Mitchell dropped into Sandford Quarry recently, to help support people living with a condition that has no cure.

The firm’s Asbestos Related Diseases Team support clients and their families throughout Wales and the South West living with asbestos exposure and took on the 150ft abseil challenge on Sunday 29 September to raise £750 for the local Avon Mesothelioma Foundation (AMF).

In recognition of the team’s efforts and the charity’s vital work, the Irwin Mitchell Charities Foundation (IMCF) agreed to match their fundraising total, taking the amount raised to £1,500.

Established in 1997, the IMCF is an independent registered charity, which has donated more than £2 million to good causes throughout the UK and £284,000 in 2018 alone.

A charity established to help patients with Mesothelioma; the AMF supports research likely to lead to improved treatment and patient care for a condition that continues to claim 2,500 lives every year in the UK, many as a result of exposure to asbestos. As mesothelioma has no cure, the AMF also funds patient equipment and a next day service for those with urgent needs.

The Irwin Mitchell team’s efforts come as the UK prepares to mark 20 years since asbestos was banned in all its forms in 1999. Given the long latency period of asbestos related diseases, cases of mesothelioma have remained high, leaving many in need of ongoing support.

The rain was not enough to put the team off, who were joined on the day by the family of a local mesothelioma patient and a consultant respiratory physician from North Bristol NHS Trust, all committed to playing a part in ensuring the charity’s vital services can continue in the future.

Expert Opinion

“Our team of specialist solicitors at Irwin Mitchell in Bristol supports clients diagnosed with asbestos related diseases, as do the world class team of health care professionals across Avon and Somerset. We were delighted to joined by Dr Anna Bibby, Consultant Respiratory Physician at North Bristol NHS Trust, in our efforts to raise funds for the Avon Mesothelioma Foundation which supports research and education into this tragic disease.

Local mesothelioma patient, Rob Thompson, had hoped to join the abseil but his health on the day didn’t allow and so his daughter in law and grand-daughter took up the challenge of representing local mesothelioma patients at the abseil.

The 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.” Virginia Chalmers - Partner

Having seen the amazing work of the charity first hand, the Asbestos Related Diseases team at Irwin Mitchell are keen to do all they can to support the work of the AMF in the local communities in which they operate. Anyone looking to sponsor the team can do so by visiting their fundraising page at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/irwinmitchellavonmesotheliomafoundationfundraising?utm_term=BReBxJ4xp