Carl Ross who lost his father to mesothelioma is cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End to raise money for the June Hancock Mesothelioma Research Fund.

Carl's mother, Lauren, is a member of the Greater Manchester Mesothelioma Action Group and is delighted that her son is taking on this challenging ride for mesothelioma research.

"Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to sponser Me; Justgiving makes sure 25% is Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
Carl's web page below giving details on the ride and how to give support." www.justgiving.com/carlross

Thousands of asbestos victims who suffer from pleural plaques, scarring of the lung pleura caused by inhalation of asbestos fibres, will react with anger and dismay at today’s House of Lord’s decision to end compensation for the anxiety and psychiatric illness caused by a diagnosis of pleural plaques.

Jim Day, who suffers from pleural plaques, says: "I can speak for hundreds of people who suffer from pleural plaques, who have seen their colleagues die from asbestos disease, and who live with the anxiety and fear that they may also succumb to a fatal asbestos disease in the future. The House of Lords decision to withdraw compensation for sufferers of pleural plaques is unjust. None of us should have been exposed to deadly asbestos fibres in our work and we should not have to live with the knowledge that we have a heightened risk of dying from asbestos disease in the future. The small levels of compensation which had been paid for many years provided some consolation for the effects of asbestos on our lungs and the fear of future fatal disease. This decision is all about saving money for the insurance industry and not about justice for asbestos victims."

Compensation had been paid for over 20 years for the anxiety and fear caused by the knowledge that pleural plaque sufferers have a heightened risk of a fatal asbestos disease. Parliament overturned a previous House of Lords decision which withdrew compensation for sufferers of mesothelioma, a fatal tumour of the lung pleura. This decision is yet another attack on compensation for asbestos victims.

Tony Whitston, Chair of the Forum says: "The decision by the Law Lords to end compensation for pleural plaques is yet another attack on compensation to asbestos victims for asbestos disease, following the Law Lords’ decision in the Barker case, which withdrew compensation to mesothelioma sufferers. Parliament overturned that decision and we are calling on MPs of all parties to act swiftly to overturn this unjust decision. As a matter of policy, compensation should be paid for negligent exposure to asbestos which affects the lungs and causes such a heightened risk of a fatal disease and consequent fear and anxiety, and in many cases psychiatric illness."

"This is a disease which affects working class people who were wrongly exposed to asbestos. It is all too easy for those who never risked their lives in industry to dismiss the suffering of so may who did. This judgment gives solace to rich insurance companies and leaves asbestos victims uncompensated. It is a disgrace."

For further information, please contact Tony Whitston, Tel: 0161 636 7555; Mobile: 077 48189 837. Chair of The Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK.