Asbestos victim support groups throughout the UK are organising a series of events to raise awareness about mesothelioma on Action Mesothelioma Day (27 February 2006), including:

• presenting an Action Mesothelioma Charter to 10 Downing Street to petition for better care and treatment for mesothelioma sufferers;
• better protection for employees to prevent future needless exposure to asbestos;
• and more funding for mesothelioma cancer research from the Government.

DAST and SARAG's balloons represent the people we have helped this year. We are also compiling a tribute booklet of personal accounts from people who have this devastating disease or have lost loved ones as a result of it. For a minimum of £2 you can sponsor and dedicate a balloon to be released at one of the events. Even if you cannot attend the event, you can still have your balloon there.

The DAST balloon release will be from New Square, Chesterfield at 10:30.

The SARAG balloon release will then follow from the Peace Gardens, next to the Town Hall, Pinstone Street, Sheffield at 11:00.

For information about the Leicester event, please contact: Mrs Thornton on 0116 2773901.

We are also encouraging everyone to sign the petition by 1st February, 2006 which is available through the British Lung Foundation's web site: http://www.lunguk.org/involved.asp?id=2

Or, you can collect names and signatures yourself and return them to: SARAG,311 Aizlewood’s Mill, Nursery Street, Sheffield S3 8GG