THE family of a Whitby man who died from an asbestos-related cancer after breathing in dangerous dust decades ago have reached a four-figure settlement with his old employers, and they are donating the funds to St Leonard’s Hospice.

Colin Weatherill was diagnosed with mesothelioma in September 2014 and was cared for at the York hospice before he died in January 2015, aged 71.

Before his death he instructed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where he came into contact with the deadly material.

He believed he was exposed to asbestos at three of his former employers.

Colin first began working in January 1964 as a labourer.

Part of his role would require him to collect and move sacks of asbestos that were on site. Sometimes the bag would rip exposing Colin to asbestos.

He told his legal team he was never provided with overalls or safety equipment to protect him from the deadly substance.

Colin’s daughter Rachel Harrison, 46, has already announced her intention to donate the funds recovered by from insurers for the three firms to St Leonard’s Hospice.

Rachel, who is one of three children Colin had with his wife, Pam, before her death in 2011, said: “Colin’s death has been difficult for us all to come to terms with and one of the primary reasons for taking legal action was to recoup the cost of care provided to him by the staff at St Leonard’s Hospice.

She added: “All of us have at some time been touched by a friend or family member who has been diagnosed with a type of cancer and we have seen the amazing job the dedicated staff at St Leonard’s do to make people as comfortable as possible in their final days.”