Mick Knighton
Mesothelioma Research Fund

Hundreds of runners braved the bad weather on Saturday (June 16, 2007) to take part in the British Lung Foundation’s Lung Run. The event in Jesmond Dene, Newcastle, raised £3,600 for the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund.

John Gibson

More than 200 people took part in the run despite the heavy rain over recent days, including Big Brother star Anthony Hutton, who won the sixth series of the reality television show.

Chris said: “We are delighted with the turn out for this year’s Lung Run especially considering the terrible weather we have had over recent days.”

Adam MacAvoy, Anthony Hutton, MichaelRobb

“It is great to see so many people from all ages and backgrounds taking part in this event and raising money towards such an important cause.“I would like to thank all those who took part and those who helped make it such a successful day.”

Chris Knighton pictured with President Celia Leach and special guest compere Cathy Secker.

Thousands of pounds were raised at a sell out concert arranged by Monkseaton Centenary Rotary Club in aid of the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund and the Grace House North East Children’s Hospice Appeal.

Special guest Cathy Secker compered the evening and introduced the Band of the Royal Fusiliers and Backworth Male Voice Choir who jointly presented a musical celebration in music and song ranging from the Dam Busters to a medley of World War songs. President Celia Leach, President of Monkseaton Rotary Club, presented Chris Knighton with a cheque for £1,450.

Thank you to Monlseaton Centenary and all who came along to such an enjoyable evening.

Jan Egerton and the girls from Civil Engineering Company Hall Construction Services took part in the Race for Life. Their aim was to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research UK and The MKMRF. The event was followed by a Charity Ball at Darlington Football Club.

The ball was organised bt Claire Charlton and Jan Egerton who suffers from mesothelioma herself and knows only too well the desperate need for research into the disease. Many local companies not only sponsored the race but donated fantastic prizes for the evening’s auction. The Mayor of Aycliffe, Brian Hall attended the evening to help highlight the need for funding and awareness into the terminal cancer. Over £6,000 was raised by the Race for Life and a further £10,000 from the Charity Dinner.

A cheque for an amazing £13,695 was donated to the MKMRF. A huge thank you to Jan and the girls for raising such a fantastic amount, their support is very much appreciated.

Greater Manchester Asbestos Victims Support Group hosted a presentation in Manchester Town Hall on 26th June. Tony Whitson presented over £20,000 they had raised on Action Mesothelioma Day 2007 towards the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund and June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund.

Paul Taylor, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Wythenshawe Hospital spoke of the need for the need for more research into mesothelioma and the battle patients will face if Alimta head been withdrawn funding by the NHS.Hazel Bowden GMASVG received a cheque for over £10,000 on behalf of the MKMRF. Thank you to the people of Greater Manchester and their Asbestos Victims Support Group for their support.

The family of an Eastbourne man who died of cancer caused by asbestos exposure have raised more than £1,400 in his memory.

Bob Tolley, 67, of Wartling Road, died in September last year after contracting mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer.

His daughter Christine Dennis said, “We raised £1,403 for Mesothelioma Research after organising a charity event in aid of it on behalf of The British Lung Foundation, The Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund and The June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund.”

The family held a charity auction, raffle and disco at Eastbourne United Football Club on September 29th.

Mrs Dennis said, “My brothers and some of my dad’s friends also played a charity golf match earlier in the day at Horam Park Golf Club.

“We had support from local businesses and retailers who kindly donated prizes for the auction and money donations for the research funds.

“The event was in memory of my dad Bob Tolley who sadly passed away last year from this terrible disease. “We as a family wanted to do something to raise funds and awareness for the treatment and research into this diseases caused by asbestos.

“We are still searching for witnesses who worked with my dad on a firm called Humphreys & Glasgow Ltd.

“We have the help of a solicitor from Manchester who specialises is asbestos cases. “But at the end of the day it is not about the money, it is about making someone take responsibility for what happened to my dad, who was only just 67 when he died and still actively working for Hotchkiss Ltd, a local firm.

“There are more and more cases of mesothelioma in Eastbourne so it is not confined to large industrial towns, and because of the latency period of the disease, between five to sixty years, it is very hard to find information about companies sufferers previously worked for.”

Asbestos was used in thousands of products and buildings all over the world. But from the 1880s it was realised that the material had a damaging effect on health.

It was not until the mid 1980s that blue and brown asbestos were banned in the UK, and not until November 1999 that white asbestos was finally banned from use.

Witnesses can e-mail Mrs Dennis at millietalula@supanet.co.uk