A GRIEVING family is making an emotional appeal today to find answers about the illness which claimed the life of a father-of-six.

Derek Middleton, of Haxby, died just days after his 83rd birthday. A subsequent inquest confirmed that he had died from mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with asbestos exposure, often decades earlier.

His family is marking Workers' Memorial Day today with a plea for information about the working conditions he may have faced.

Derek's family has instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his death and determine how he went on to develop the illness.

Workers' Memorial Day is commemorated throughout the world and is officially recognised by the UK Government. Events, demonstrations, vigils and memorials are held across the world to remember all those killed through work but the event also aims to ensure that such tragedies are not repeated through campaigns for stricter enforcement with higher penalties for breaches of health and safety laws.

The theme for 2019 is: “dangerous substances – get them out of the workplace”, with asbestos highlighted as one of the big issues.

As part of their investigations, Irwin Mitchell are calling for anyone who worked with Derek to come forward.

Lucy Andrews, specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who is acting for Derek’s family, said: “Workers’ Memorial Day is an important time to reflect on the dangers that the UK’s workforce have faced through the years and the terrible legacy of asbestos is well known to many people. As such it is very welcome to see this year’s commemorations focus on this issue.

“Derek’s family are understandably desperate for answers regarding his death and we are determined to do everything we can to help them.

“In order to move this case forward we need more information regarding potential asbestos exposure that Derek may have faced, so we would be hugely grateful to anyone who may be able to help us.”

Derek was born in Morley and lived in the town for many years. After leaving Victoria Road School he joined The Army in 1952, marrying Elizabeth two years later.

Derek left the Forces in 1956. He and Elizabeth had one son and five daughters.

For a number of years Derek worked in mills before joining John Atkinson & Sons Ltd in Leeds. During his time with the company, from 1974 to 1995, he was employed as a delivery driver and labourer.

His wife Elizabeth, 82, said: “Derek told me before he died how he used to load his lorry on a morning, take it to work sites and then help those who were there to unload the materials. At the end of the day he would then return to the main site with any waste.

“He mentioned on a couple of occasions how he would handle corrugated sheets for roofs and ceiling tiles, while he also used to clean the vehicle at the end of the week too.”

Derek’s health problems came to light in October 2016 when he visited hospital on a couple of occasions due to drastic weight loss. He also then started to develop issues like breathlessness and dizziness as his health deteriorated rapidly.

His son-in-law Martin Bell, 56, said: “It was absolutely awful to see how quickly mesothelioma affected Derek and the whole family misses him so much.

“We hold so many questions regarding the illness which ultimately took his life and would appreciate any help from his old workmates who might know more about the presence of asbestos during his work.

“Any detail no matter how small could make a major difference to our efforts.”

Workers’ Memorial Day also campaigns to improve health and safety standards in the workplace, and increase protection in place for employees.

Anyone with information which could assist this case is asked to contact Lucy Andrews at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office on 0113 394 6782 or lucy.andrews@irwinmitchell.com.