• Social landlord donates to asbestos charity

Social landlord donates to asbestos charity

"We are happy to donate to this worthwhile charity. As well as helping those suffering from mesothelioma, it also highlights the importance of Health & Safety in the workplace and learning from the lessons of the past."

Chan Kataria, emh group Chief Executive

ian poynton chan kataria adrian cheetham-800

Leicestershire-based social housing and care provider emh group has donated £500 to Mesothelioma UK, the national charity dedicated to the asbestos related cancer mesothelioma.

Chan Kataria, emh group Chief Executive, and Adrian Cheetham, emh homes Director of Property Services, met with Mesothelioma UK fundraiser Ian Poynton to discuss their work and ways in which emh group could support the charity.

“We are happy to donate to this worthwhile charity as I believe it is particularly relevant given our work and the importance we give to controlling asbestos in our homes,” said Chan Kataria. “As well as helping those suffering from mesothelioma, it also highlights the importance of Health & Safety in the workplace and learning from the lessons of the past.”

Based in Leicester and operating nationwide, the charity funds 24 clinical nurse specialists across the UK, is committed to funding research and clinical trials into the treatment and care of the disease, and provides information, support, benefits advice, and funding for patients to travel to specialist centres for treatment.

Adrian Cheetham said: “The safety of our residents is our top priority, and we have a number of active measures in place to ensure that they are protected from asbestos. We maintain a database of properties which still contain asbestos, and our cyclical inspection programme monitors the properties to ensure that it has not been disturbed. All our operatives have undertaken asbestos awareness training, and we have specialists on contract for sample testing and asbestos removal.”

Ian Poynton added: “Mesothelioma UK are not only delighted with the donation, but the awareness and safety practices that emh group take when looking after its employees and educating them about the dangers of asbestos. In the UK, more than 2,700 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year. The rising number of deaths from this condition is linked to the continued use of asbestos in the building industry up until the mid-1980s.

"Going forward we hope this is the start of a successful partnership between Mesothelioma UK and emh group."