To each and every person reading this, may I first begin with a very sincere ‘Hello’.
I speak to you now because as of October 2024 I became charity ambassador for Asbestos Action – a role I am deeply honoured and proud to serve.
My own Mother worked in the Jute Mills in Dundee and was likely exposed to asbestos along with many others.
Sadly, a dear friend of mine (a former builder) died from an asbestos-related disease after working with the horrible stuff for decades. To add insult to injury, his wife also died from an asbestos disease due to washing his fibre-ridden clothes.
Often the public are not aware of these diseases and if they are they believe it to be an issue of a bygone era. Like it only affects the older generation.
But every person here knows it doesn’t.
Asbestos remains in nearly every community due to the substance only being banned in 1999 – that means it’s going to remain in our future, and the future of our grandchildren. Worse still, asbestos diseases will remain so the need for support will also continue.
The charity tells me more women than ever are diagnosed with mesothelioma yet they were not married to tradespeople so the source of their exposure is often a mystery – this sometimes in turn impacts their ability to get the medical, social or legal help they deserve.
I don’t know about you, but when I read about injustices like this it fills me with a fire that just makes it impossible for me to stand idle.
Now, I’m fully aware I’m no expert on asbestos, charities or social care. After all, I’m just an actor.
But I know Dundee. The streets. The parks. That calm feeling we get looking out from the top of the Law.
And more importantly, I know the people. It’s still home in my heart which is why I care, and why I care about Asbestos Action.
The work this charity does matters because the families they help matter.
It fills me with hope and pride to see this grassroots collective campaign for justice while simultaneously providing warmth, support and assurance to those in need.
So please join me in making sure Asbestos Action can continue its excellent work to help you keep being you.
I look forward to working with the charity more (and more closely) in the near future.
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