Asbestos charity receives funding boost thanks to Glasgow Times
APIONEERING c i t y charity is celebrating this week thanks to a welcome funding boost from the owner of the Glasgow Times. Our Cash for Charities initiative encouraged people to vote for their favourite good cause to win a share of £ 16,000.
Action on Asbestos, which has been providing free practical and emotional support to those affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos and work- related diseases and injuries for more than 35 years, will now receive £ 1281.04 thanks to our fantastic readers’ efforts.
Phyllis Craig MBE, director and manager of the charity, said: “Action on Asbestos are delighted to have been selected to participate in the Cash for Charities initiative and we are extremely grateful to receive a share of the money allocated.
“As singing is known to benefit people with breathlessness, we hope to start up a choir with our support groups throughout Scotland. The money will allow us to do this and will therefore directly support people with an asbestos related disease.”
Honorary patron of the charity Jonathan Watson starred in a play called Fibres, all about people affected by asbestos- related conditions.
Phyllis added: “Many people think asbestos- related conditions are a thing of the past, or just something to do with men working in the shipyards, but that is far from the case. We see around 750 new cases every year, and increasingly, younger women, who have worked in factories, hospitals and schools, are affected.”
Phyllis added that the Glasgow Times initiative had helped to raise awareness of the “continued existence of asbestos- related disease in Scotland and the work we do to assist those affected.”
She said: “Special thanks go to all the wonderful people who collected tokens for our charity. It is their support that has resulted in the award being made, allowing us to continue to do what we can to support all of those affected by an asbestosrelated condition.”
For advice and assistance, contact Action on Asbestos on 0800 089 1717.
The other Scottish charities to receive a share of the £ 16,000 cash pot are Greenock Medical Aid Society (£ 5001.21), Sense Scotland (£ 1190.46), RSABI (£ 1,138.70), East Lothian Roots and Fruits SCIO (£ 1908.61), Cancer Support Scotland (£ 1,391.02), Fermanagh BrightStarz (£ 1,061.06), Finding Your Feet (£ 1,015.77), Fairway Fife (£ 1,009.30) and Galashiels and Area Foodbank (£ 1,002.83).