Dr. Tim Peel
Consultant in general and respiratory medicine. Northumbria Cancer Unit and Northern Cancer Networks lead clinician for lung disease. Founder of the Breathe North Appeal
“It is essential that money is invested now to accelerate improvement in treatment and research for a cure.”
Dr. Olugbenga Ayodele Afolabi
Respiratory consultant for the Northumbria Health Care Trust
“The research fund aims to raise money for research into Mesothelioma. To improve diagnosis, to improve care for patient’s pain control, breathlessness, sweating and weight loss, improve health status and also to improve help for carers access to information and services.”
Ian McFall
Head of Asbestos Litigation at Thompsons Solicitors
“Mesothelioma is a devastating cancer which affects over 1800 people in the UK each year with the number of fatalities expected to rise for at least the next 10 years. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are innocent victims who were exposed to asbestos during the course of their working life.”
Dave Anderson MP
Labour Member of Parliament for Blaydon
“I am delighted to be given the honour of patron of the MKMRF. The people who have led this campaign have refused to allow personal tragedy to stand in the way of helping others. Mesothelioma is a devastating disease made all the more distressing by the fact that they should never have been exposed to asbestos in the first place. That is why I’m proud to have been involved in recent changes in Parliament to ensure employers and insurance companies do not escape their responsibilities to these people and their families.”
Gayle Tomlinson
Gayle Tomlinson Communications
“Mesothelioma has touched the lives of many families in the North East and across the UK. It is a devastating disease which sufferers are often exposed to after little more than carrying out a hard days work. The work undertakenby the MKMRF not only helps to fund important medical research into the disease but also helps to provide support and hope to the victims and their families affected by it. I am proud to support this charity which provides a lifeline to those who often have no where left to turn.”
Richard Thorpe
“I spent my first 18 years of life in Newcastle Upon Tyne and generally enjoying a very happy and secure childhood with my wonderful parents. I loved sport and played as much Rugby as I could possibly fit into any one week.
After completing the sixth form at Astley High School I joined the Royal Navy as a Weapons Engineering Artificer and served on various ships, submarines and shore establishments throughout the UK, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
After 13 years serving Queen and Country I left to join Scottish Telecom and in three intense years learned my trade as a project manager before joining an American company, Level 3 communications based in Denver Colorado.
Five years building and implementing a global telecommunications network based in the US and Europe was enough and I firmly planted my feet back on UK soil by joining BT where I have been ever since. My current role is to develop and implement all new and innovative components into the access network and to continually drive the improvement of the network performance throughout the UK.
It was just over 18 months ago that I learned that my own father Alan, had been diagnosed with Mesothelioma. I completely underestimated the impact this would have on us as a family and more importantly him as an individual. It was devastating to see how quickly this disease affected him right up until he took his last breath in January 2007.
I am delighted and honoured to be asked to become a patron of this charity and I very much look forward to continuing with the good work and efforts achieved by the team to date.”
