The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Richard Porthouse, has been presented with a plaque in memory of those who have died from the asbestos-linked cancer mesothelioma.
Aileen O’Brien, who lost her brother Terry Smith to the disease in 2013, and Anne Craig one of the founding members of the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund (MKMRF), presented the Mayor with the memorial plaque for display in Jarrow Town Hall.
The plaque was created by local artist Alan Ball and will be displayed in Jarrow Town Hall for a short time to help raise awareness of the disease, before moving onto its next location within the Borough.
“Mesothelioma is a devastating illness that has touched the lives of many people and their families in South Tyneside. I knew Terry well and the Mayoress and I were honoured to be presented with this plaque by his sister in order to help raise awareness of this terrible disease,” the Mayor said.
“It is important that we remember those who have lost their lives to Mesothelioma and to help keep this issue in the public eye. The plaque will take pride of place in the Town Hall and I would encourage the public to learn more about this asbestos-linked cancer.”
Aileen O’Brien, a member of the MKMRF, said: “My brother, Terry, who died of Mesothelioma was a friend of the Mayor and attended the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund’s support group for sufferers in Washington.
“This plaque is dedicated to all the sufferers and their families of this terrible disease and will be on display in Jarrow Town Hall for the next few weeks.”