Action Mesothelioma Day

The family of a former medical secretary is appealing for information after the mum-of-two and nan-of-three died of cancer, which they fear was caused by exposure to harmful asbestos brought home on her husband’s work clothes.

Veronica Kidman was diagnosed with mesothelioma in January 2026, an incurable cancer usually affecting the lining of the lungs or abdomen. It is caused by asbestos exposure, often decades previously. She died a week later, aged 72.

Following her death, her daughter Becky Irwing, 41, and son Gareth Kidman, 44, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how Veronica was exposed to the hazardous material.

The family believes Veronica’s exposure most likely occurred while washing the dusty work clothes of her late husband, Ian Kidman, who worked as a field engineer for BT from 1971 to 1989.

Veronica’s family and their legal team at Irwin Mitchell are now appealing to Ian’s ex-workmates for information about the working conditions he faced.

They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who worked at the Chingford or Leytonstone telephone exchanges in East London, where Ian was based as they may be able to help share information about his potential exposure to asbestos. He also occasionally worked at the Mile End telephone exchange and Walthamstow telephone exchange.

Veronica’s family are now using Action Mesothelioma Day to honour those affected by mesothelioma and warn of the continued risk of asbestos.

Natalia Rushworth-White, the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Veronica’s family, said:

 “Veronica’s death is another tragic reminder of the terrible legacy asbestos has created.

 

“While many people associate asbestos with heavy industry, its use was widespread across many occupations as well as in residential and public buildings. We are also seeing a rise in the number of people, mostly women, being affected through secondary exposure such as washing work clothes.

 

“Even though Ian’s work took place in the 1970’s, the risks of asbestos were still well-known and employers had a duty to ensure the safety of their employees.

 

“Asbestos continues to pose a very real risk across the UK, and Action Mesothelioma Day serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact asbestos exposure continues to have on families.

 

“If any of Ian’s former workmates could come forward with information about the conditions he faced, it could prove vital in establishing how Veronica was exposed and would mean a great deal to their loved ones.”

Veronica and her husband married in November 1977 and lived together in Epping, Essex. The couple later moved to Mildenhall in Suffolk but sadly Ian died suddenly in July 2014 following a brain haemorrhage. Veronica later retired to Wymondham, Norfolk in 2017 with her beloved dog Archie.

As a field engineer, Ian would travel to residential addresses and local businesses to fix problems with telephones or switchboards. He would also work in various BT repair centres providing troubleshooting advice.

His family believe Ian probably went into areas with pipes lagged with asbestos to install phone lines. It is also highly likely that he worked with asbestos resin.

Prior to her death, Veronica described Ian coming home with a “great deal of dust” covering his clothes and hair.

She handwashed her husband’s work clothes three times a week, which would get so dirty and dusty, she often had to wash them three times over. Settled dust remained on the floor after washing, which she swept up after, stirring fibres into the air.

The family now fears that asbestos fibres brought home from Ian’s site visits may have led to her fatal illness decades later.

Veronica began to experience symptoms two years before her diagnosis, which included extreme abdominal pain, lower back pain, bloating and fatigue.

She attended A&E multiple times in November and December 2025 with issues affecting her immune system. A CT scan in December identified a mass on her abdomen, and a biopsy was taken on 23 December.

Veronica was admitted to hospital on 6 January 2026 and was diagnosed with mesothelioma on 8 January.

She died in hospital on 15 January just a week after receiving her diagnosis.

Becky said: 

“Mum was always cheerful and full of energy. She loved keeping busy and attended regular classes at the local leisure centre. She loved Pilates and enjoyed weekly walks with a local Wymondham walking group, as well as getting out with her beloved dogs, Archie and Monty, who she adored.

 

“I think that’s why we knew something wasn’t right when she started becoming tired so often, although at the time we had no idea what was causing it.

 

“We barely had time to process her diagnosis before she was sadly taken from us.

 

“Saying goodbye to mum was incredibly painful. Her condition deteriorated so quickly and I try my best to remember her for the happy times we shared, not how fragile she became towards the end.

 

“I know dad would have been devastated to learn that his work may have contributed to mum’s illness if he were still here today.

 

“It wasn’t his fault. Like so many others, he should have been properly protected. Sadly, the mistakes of the past continue to affect families like ours many years later.

 

“We’re hoping that anyone who knew mum and dad can help us piece together answers.”

Anyone with information that could help Veronica’s family is asked to contact Samantha Pitts at Irwin Mitchell on 01223 791815 or by email at Samantha.Pitts@IrwinMitchell.com.

Action Mesothelioma Day on 3 July honours those affected by mesothelioma and helps raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos.