Remembering the dead, fighting for the living
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Today is International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD), an annual day of remembrance and action marked internationally for those who have been killed, injured or made ill because of their work. It is a significant day for us as a charity, as we remember those who have been made unwell and have died due to the terrible legacy of asbestos in our community.
We marked IWMD last Friday, the 24th of April. A large crowd gathered at the International Asbestos Memorial in Truth and Justice Square where we heard tributes, laid wreaths and held a minute of silence to remember those who have lost their lives due to asbestos. Amongst those in attendance were local politicians, trade unionists, industrial disease solicitors, healthcare workers, CAG members and families who have lost loved ones to asbestos.
This year we dedicated the event to David Colraine, a founding member of Clydebank Asbestos Group who sadly passed away in January this year. It was inspiring to hear about David and the story of how he came to set up the asbestos group, after seeing colleagues from the shipyard suffering with asbestos-related disease.
David Colraine was a man who didn’t just feel sad or angry about the injustice he saw – he actually did something about it. His tenacity and determination are the reason that Clydebank Asbestos Group exists today, still supporting and advocating for asbestos victims.
Today is a poignant reminder of the dangers that past generations have faced in the workplace, and the ongoing work that needs to be done to ensure workplace safety for all. Let us continue the work that David Colraine started, remembering the dead and fighting for the living.
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