Asbestos victim electrician gets rock concert

CHARITY GIG ... David Craig will raise cash to help fight
asbestos.

A FAMILY is organising a rock charity night in memory of an asbestos
victim.
David Craig, 54, died from mesothelioma in February, 2002, after being
exposed to asbestos while working as an electrician at Swan Hunter,
Wallsend, more than 30 years before.
His wife, Anne, and son David, from Hebburn, will stage a memorial
charity night to raise cash for the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research
Fund at The Old Assembly Rooms, off Westgate Road, Newcastle, on
Thursday, March 8.
David Craig jnr, 37, performs as The Wedge in the popular U2 tribute
band, NEU2, and the band will be the star attraction at next month's
charity gig.
He said: "This is a chance for us to raise money in memory of my dad for
the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund, which does a lot of
work to not only support asbestos victims and their families, but also to
provide research into finding the best treatment for the disease."
The research fund was established by Wallsend widow Chris Knighton
after her husband, Mick, 60, died of mesothelioma in 2001, following
exposure to asbestos while serving in the Royal Navy.
Mrs Knighton said: "In January, we reached an amazing target of
£220,000, raised by our supporters in the last five years.
"This event will help us to add to that figure, so we can look at other
areas where we can help mesothelioma sufferers and their families
during what is a difficult time.
"I would urge people to book their tickets now before it's too late. They
will have a fun night and will be helping to raise money for a good
cause."
While there is no cure for mesothelioma, the fund is helping to make
current treatments more effective.
Its first project involves looking at the chemotherapy drug Alimta, which
is widely used in the USA to treat mesothelioma patients.
But the drug has yet to be approved in the UK by the National Institute of
Clinical Excellence.
Alba Runi Ryan Abbul Razak, specialist registrar at Newcastle General
Hospital's medical oncology department, is leading the research team,
which is tracking the drug's progress among north-east patients.
Tickets for the charity show cost £15. Call Anne on 421 4398 or e-mail
anne.craig@blueyonder.co.uk.

TERRY KELLY

Article by Terry Kelly, Shields Gazette