Family of woman who died after suffering from asbestos-related disease launch appeal to track her ex-colleagues

Joan Barrow worked at Ward and Goldstone Limited in Hindsford, Atherton, from 1972 to 1973 where she worked on an assembly line fitting and making plug sockets.

She started experiencing chest pain, breathlessness and fatigue in August 2015, which her family thought was pneumonia and a chest infection.

Her GP referred her to a consultant who diagnosed her with mesothelioma in November 2015.

She died 18 months later on June 29, 2017, aged 67.

Joan’s children, Lesley and Andrew, are asking people to contact the asbestos specialists at Thompsons Solicitors if they have any information about working conditions at the factor.

Lesley said: “Our Mum’s illness completely disabled her.

“She never smoked, never drank and was always fit and very healthy.

“We assumed her illness was something that would pass and she would get better.

“We were absolutely shocked and heartbroken at being told our mum had the terminal cancer, mesothelioma.

“Our family is completely devastated with the loss of our lovely mum, who fought a brave battle but suffered terribly.

Our lives are ruined - we have been robbed of our mum, and my six-year-old son has been robbed of his only grandma.

“She would have lived a very long life.

“We will never get over losing her and want justice for her.”

Thompsons Solicitors’ asbestos team has experience of supporting families affected by mesothelioma and directing them to charities and support groups.

Michael Wolstencroft, from Thompsons Solicitors, added: “Mesothelioma is an aggressive and fatal form of cancer that currently has no cure.

“While asbestos use was banned in the UK nearly 20 years ago, there are still thousands of people dying each year because of previous exposure.”

If you worked with Joan at Ward and Goldstone Limited in Hindsford contact Michael Wolstencroft at Thompsons Solicitors’ Manchester office on 0161 819 3571.