A RETIRED HGV driver is appealing for his former colleagues’ help after being diagnosed with terminal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

Roger Bracegirdle, 69, from Timperley, believes he was exposed to asbestos during work, which led to him developing mesothelioma.

The father-of-two spent six years working as a HGV driver at George Bracegirdle & Sons Ltd, a company owned by his father and his uncle.

During his time at the Partington-based company, from 1967 until shortly before the company was dissolved in 1975, he spent time collecting and loading pallets of asbestos insulation boards and reels of asbestos sheeting from the Turner and Newall asbestos cement warehouse.

Roger has now instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his exposure to the substance.

Roger, who has been married to his wife Susan for 45 years, said: “I can’t remember ever being given anything to protect me or being warned of the risks asbestos posed to my health.

"My mesothelioma diagnosis came as a terrible shock for all of us and I’m very concerned about what the future holds for me and my family as my condition gets worse.

“The company was dissolved back in 1975 and we don’t have records of the insurers of the business, but I’m hoping that some of the people who worked for the company will come forward with any information they have about which company held the insurance.”

Roger is now appealing to his former colleagues to come forward and help provide information that could identify the insurer and enable him to access compensation.

Dominic Hemsi, a Partner and specialist industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “In these cases victims have to rely on accessing compensation from insurance companies to help cover their care costs, as well as providing financial security for loved ones they will leave behind. This process can be extremely difficult when companies have been dissolved for long periods of time.

“Sadly, this is the case for Roger. Although he worked for a family business he has been unable to find any details about the insurer involved and we are now appealing to his former colleagues for help in tracing the insurer to ensure Roger can access justice and help provide for his future.”

Anyone with information should contact Dominic Hemsi at Irwin Mitchell on 0161 259 1516 or email Dominic.Hemsi2@IrwinMitchell.com.