At the meeting of the Rotary Club of Bolsover the guest speaker was Joanne Gordon, Co-ordinator for the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team a charitable organisation based in Chesterfield.
Joanne gave an overview of the groups work assisting around 200 East Midland people diagnosed with an asbestos disease each year. This help includes one to one advice on entitlements and arranging conferences and meetings for those affected to to find mutual support and information. They also provide on going support to those who have been bereaved by this terrible disease.
She went on to say that most people think that because asbestos was a banned substance it was no longer a threat to health. However in the 20th century such huge amounts were imported into the UK that it still has a very strong presence. DAST were working hard to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos that is clearly reflected in the latest diagnosis for the related diseases caused by the deadly mineral.
The members of the Rotary Club of Bolsover thanked Joanne for her presentation and made a donation to help with their work.