FOR decades, scores of York asbestos victims and their families have suffered alone.

The daughter of one victim, former carriageworks employee Dougie Peacock spoke out in the Evening Press in December about the desperate need for a support group and helpline.

Karen Tate, of Fulford, whose father died of the asbestos-related disease mesothelioma, aged 57, said she and her family had not known where to turn in his final months.

She said: "If there could have been a helpline, a support group - people who knew what we were going through, because they had been through this sort of thing themselves - it would have helped so much."

Now her pleas are set to be answered, with the launch of York's first Asbestos Support Group.

The venture is the brainchild of a York solicitor Kim Daniells who in her work in dealing with compensation claims has seen first hand the needs of families for wider assistance, such as counselling.

Kim, of Corries solicitors, said she had been considering trying to set up such a group before, but the article had spurred her into pushing ahead with the project.

She said asbestos had left a dreadful legacy throughout the UK, including York.

She said: "Forecasts indicate that the numbers of those affected by asbestos-related disease will continue rising for many years to come. Until now, victims of asbestos diseases and their families have not had a local resource that can cater specifically for their needs."

Kim said the proposed group could provide care, assistance and comfort to victims and families.

She said: "It would serve as an initial point of contact, through which local people could access a variety of services from professional bodies and voluntary groups."

But it would need to be run on a voluntary basis and, therefore, rely on the generosity of local people and businesses prepared to donate time, expertise and resources.

Karen said: "It's brilliant. I think it's great somebody is going to do this. It's fantastic."

Former carriageworks trades unionist Paul Cooper, who has devoted his life to helping those affected by asbestos, welcomed the proposals, but said it was crucial for families who had been through the experience to get involved as well as professionals.

The support group's inaugural meeting takes place at the conference centre at Burnholme Community College, on Tuesday, March 7, at 7pm.

Anyone interested in joining or supporting the group should phone 07787 120317, or email kim.daniells@yasg.co.uk.

Updated: 10:25 Friday, February 17, 2006