Stuart raises more than £600 for Mesothelioma research by running in asbestos safety kit

Posted: 17th Apr 15 12:05 PM

Stuart from the National Asbestos Helpline managed to run the whole of the Vitality Liverpool Half Marathon in safety clothing and protective mask to raise more than £600 for an asbestos-related lung cancer research fund.

Stuart Hughes finished the 13.1-mile (21km) course in asbestos safety equipment for the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund – part of the British Lung Foundation.

Mesothelioma is an incurable lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos dust and fibres. According to the Department of Work and Pensions, 53,000 people in the UK will die between 2013 and 2037 as a result of developing mesothelioma 10 to 50 years after breathing in the deadly material.

Stuart, aged 41, says: “I owe a huge thank you to family, friends and colleagues for all their support and kind sponsorship. Mesothelioma is a horrific disease and their help means more funding will go into finding better treatments for innocent sufferers.

“The run was really tough but the crowd were great and kept me plodding on. The worst part was my goggles kept steaming up. I could hardly see where I was going and a few times I nearly ran straight into my fellow runners.”

Stuart wore a disposable coverall suit with hood, safety goggles and a respiratory mask, which were kindly donated by Wirral-based Applied Safety Solutions.

The Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund is part of the British Lung Foundation. Every penny goes towards promoting a greater awareness and sponsoring vital research studies into mesothelioma. It also offers information and support to people affected by the lung cancer.

The Vitality Liverpool Half Marathon took place on Sunday, March 29. Anyone wishing to sponsor Stuart’s running can still go to his Just Giving page…

The National Asbestos Helpline is a service provided by Alderstone Solicitors and was set up to help those affected by asbestos gain access to support, benefits and compensation. For details explore the website or call 0808 250 6786.

For more information about the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund go to the BLF page here or call 03000 030 555.