Widow of Shoreham asbestos victim appeals for help (From The Argus)

Widow of Shoreham asbestos victim appeals for help

12:50pm Sunday 27th January 2013 in News By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter

The widow of a father-of-two who died of an asbestos-related cancer is appealing to his former colleagues for help. 

Rickman Saunders, from Shoreham, contracted mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos dust.

Mr Saunders, of Swiss Gardens, who died in February 2009 aged 84, had begun legal action for compensation before his death.

His wife of 18 years, Pamela Saunders, and one of his grand- daughters, Michele Silsby, are continuing the action.

They are asking for Mr Saunders’s former colleagues to get in touch with any information that could help.

Lawyers at Irwin Mitchell want to hear from Mr Saunders’s former colleagues when he worked at Beves & Sons timber importers, which was based in Shoreham.

He worked there from 1957 to 1960 and was involved in a project putting up roofing and constructing a timber hangar at Gatwick.

Irwin Mitchell asbestos special- ist Joanne Jefferies said: “Rickman’s family have been left devastated by his death and desperately want answers so they can begin to come to terms with their loss.

“We need Rickman’s former colleagues to get in touch to help with information.

“It can take several decades for mesothelioma to develop and it can be very aggressive, which was unfortunately the case with Rex.”

Mrs Saunders said: “Rex and I met in later life after we were both married previously.

“We were very happy together and loved to go dancing and walking. I had hoped we had many more happy years together but that was not to be.

“When we were told his diagnosis we just couldn’t believe it.

“It seemed so unfair that he was given a death sentence through something he was exposed to through no fault of his own over 50 years ago.

“By the end he could barely walk to the local shop, never mind go dancing. It was very hard to see him suffer.

“I just hope his former colleagues get in touch.

“Any information, no matter how small, could give us the answers and justice we need to be able to come to terms with what’s happened.”

Anyone able to help should call Ms Jefferies on 0207 421 3936 or email joanne.jeffries@irwinmitchell.com.