A HEARTBROKEN daughter who lost her father to mesothelioma in January has set up the only support group for asbestos-related diseases in County Durham and Tees Valley.

Samantha Cox and her sister-in-law Lucy Reynoldson, both from Newton Aycliffe, will launch the Paul Readhead Asbestos Support Awareness Group (PRASAG) at Blackwell Grange Hotel in Darlington tomorrow (Tuesday, October 6).

The group is named after Mrs Cox’s father, a former plumber who was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year.

The devastating diagnosis shocked his family, who knew very little about the cancer and did not know where to turn.

Thankfully, a support group was running near his home in Dorset and this proved a tower of strength to Mr Readhead, 62, and his family during this desperate time.

More than 7,000 people across the UK are diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases every year and about 3,000 people die from mesothelioma and asbestosis.

The North-East bears a disproportionately high burden of asbestos-related illnesses largely due to its industrial heritage.

After her father’s death, Mrs Cox, a qualified councillor, was determined to help others affected by the deadly dust and when she discovered there was no support group operating in County Durham, Darlington or Teesside she knew just the way.

PRASAG will meet at Blackwell Grange Hotel on the first Tuesday of the month from 11am to 1pm, with the launch meeting taking place tomorrow (Tuesday, October 6).

“If anybody across the our region feels anything like the way I felt last year I cannot think of anything worse,” said Mrs Cox, a mother-of-four.

“If there had been something like this I could have come to it would have been a great help."

She added: “We approached Blackwell Grange because it is close to Darlington town centre and has such beautiful gardens for people to enjoy.”

PRASAG will offer a fully holistic and friendly approach, providing emotional, physical, financial and social support, as well as raising awareness of asbestos-related diseases and funding for research.

Specialist lung cancer nurses will attend each meeting, along with solicitors to give advice on compensation claims.

Advice on benefits and home visits will also be offered and it is hoped guest speakers will attend and new friendships will be formed.

For more information, contact Mrs Cox on 07929-391529 or enquiries@prasag.co.uk