Family: Help us to get justice for Anne
The family of a former school and hospital secretary who lost her battle against cancer after she was exposed to asbestos have launched an appeal for information about the places where she worked.
Anne Jones, of Norton Canes near Cannock, died aged 72 on December 6, 2012 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer in the lining of the lungs, just nine months earlier.
Now her devastated husband David, 75, believes her old colleagues at the former Shelfield Secondary School, in Broad Way, Shelfield, and at St Matthew's Hospital, in Burntwood, hold the key to what happened to her.
Mrs Jones worked at the school, since renamed Shelfield Community Academy, as a secretary from 1969 to 1980, and at the old psychiatric hospital as secretary to the nursing director between 1980 and 1995.
Mr Jones said: "My daughter Susan and I were devastated to lose Anne so quickly after the doctors diagnosed her with mesothelioma.
"It was a real shock when we were told she had cancer in her lung and I remember Anne saying that cancer was the worst word in the world to hear."
Anne really fought her illness, enduring six chemotherapy sessions every three weeks and trying to live her life to the fullest during that time. However, she went rapidly downhill.
"Susan and I had a horrendous time watching Anne lose her battle with cancer and we want to see justice done for her death," he said.
"We hope anyone with any information that might help us will get in touch, as they could make a huge difference and help us achieve justice for Anne."
Specialist industrial disease law firm Irwin Mitchell said before she died Mrs Jones spoke about asbestos being present at the school site and that substantial building works took place when she worked there.
It further stated that while working at the now demolished St Matthew's Hospital she used a ground floor office near the boiler house that contained its coal-fired central heating that generated clouds of dirt and dust. And that an asbestos survey in 2009 showed that it had significant amounts of asbestos.
The Birmingham firm's asbestos case specialist Iain Shoolbred said: "
People may have vital information that could really help the Jones in their fight for justice."
Anyone who thinks they can help is asked to contact 0121 214 5446 or email iain.shoolbred@irwinmitchell.com
