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Workers Memorial Day Tribute to Asbestos Victims

A tribute to victims of asbestos-related disease in Portsmouth will be made on Workers Memorial Day on Saturday, April 28.

A memorial built for those who have died from the devastating diseases like lung cancer mesothelioma and asbestosis will be unveiled during a ceremony at Victoria Park.

The event will remember the hundreds of people in Hampshire who have been affected by exposure to asbestos in the work place.

Asbestos Related Diseases

Many victims worked with the dust but were never told of the dangers and often were not given adequate protection against asbestos.

Employees in heavy industries like shipbuilding, engineering, plumbing and joinery were often exposed to asbestos every day of the working life.

Memorial Ceremony

During the event on Saturday a memorial garden will be opened to commemorate victims.

Portsmouth North MP Sarah McCarthy-Fry and Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock will attend alongside representatives from Portsmouth Trades Council.

Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) general secretary Bob Crowe will address the ceremony.

John Hall, from Thompsons Solicitors, The Legal Line's lawyers, which has an office in Southampton and claims compensation for many of the area’s asbestos victims will attend.

He said: “This garden will remember the hundreds of have died from asbestos related diseases in Portsmouth.

This legacy from the past shows no signs of abating; in contrast, it looks certain that more innocent victims will be affected in the future.

More than 90,000 people are expected to be affected by asbestos related disease by 2020 with more than 2,000 people a year dying from mesothelioma alone.

We must make sure those who are affected by exposure to asbestos receive the advice, support and help that they need."

The ceremony at Victoria Park will begin at 11am.

Industrial Disease Compensation

If you or someone close to you has been affected by an asbestos related illness, our specialist lawyers may be able to assist you in making a compensation claim.

Contact The Legal Line for sympathetic, cost free advice and assistance on 0800 0328511 or by completing an online compensation claim enquiry form.