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The Board at Clydebank Asbestos Group

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Maureen McGlinchey

Chairperson

Maureen has a long association with Clydebank as her entire teaching career of 35 years was spent in St Columba’s High School.

In 1992 she joined the Senior Management Team as a Depute Head Teacher and later took up the post of Head Teacher for 4 years before St Columba’s closed and merged with St Andrew’s in 2009 at which time she retired.


Since retirement Maureen has been involved in a number of volunteering roles in the local community: Vale Hospital Tea Bar assistant; Volunteer Modern studies teacher in The Choices Project; Case Instructor with a Church Tribunal; Panel Practice Advisor with the Children’s Panel; Area Convener of West Dunbarton Children’s Panel.

Maureen started as a Volunteer with CAG in March 2024. In October 2024 she took up the position of Chairperson to which she brings her years of management experience and a huge enthusiasm for the tremendous work of the Charity in assisting victims of asbestos to access the financial and practical support they deserve as well as campaigning for justice on their behalf.

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Christine Sayer

Vice-Chair

Christine joined CAG as a volunteer in 2013 and became Vice-Chair in 2016.

Christine has lived and worked in Clydebank all her life and worked in the Singer sewing machine factory.

Before she started volunteering, Christine had a longtime connection to CAG through family and would visit the office often.

Christine started volunteering because of her connections to the CAG team and a desire to help victims of asbestos.

 

Christine enjoys the social aspect of volunteering at CAG and getting to know new clients. She also enjoys learning about developments in how we can support asbestos victims and has taken part in benefits and legal training.

Outside of CAG, Christine is kept busy through membership of local associations.

She is a member of Dalmuir Bowling Club and bowls twice a week. Christine also enjoys learning about Clydebank’s past as a member of the Clydebank History Society and creative pursuits like crochet and knitting.

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Elaine Millar

Trustee

Elaine is a Welfare Rights Officer in the Macmillan Benefit Team, within West Dunbartonshire’s Working4U Service. In this role, Elaine has also worked in a range of different projects and partnerships over the years.  Most notably, in 2007 Elaine set up and established the Macmillan Benefit Team within the Beatson WOSCC.  This was the first service of its kind with a welfare rights service imbedded within a hospital setting. The service remains to this day.

As a CAG Trustee Elaine makes sure that any decisions made put the needs of all CAG clients first. Along with the rest of the Board she safeguards the charity’s assets and in particular the reputation of the charity.

In her spare time, Elaine enjoys spending time with her family and recently welcomed a new grandson.  Elaine also enjoys walking, baking and is an avid reader.

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Bill Clark

Trustee

Bill joined the CAG board as a Trustee in 2023.

Bill has worked in social work and health in various local government and university roles throughout his career.

He retired in 2009 from his work as the Director of Social Work and Health for West Dunbartonshire Council. Since then he has been Macmillan Cancer Support’s social care adviser.

Along with Tommy Gorman he helped establish a unique partnership with West Dunbartonshire, the Greater Glasgow NHS Board and CAG to tackle the human costs of asbestos related disease.

As a Trustee, Bill makes sure that any decisions made put the needs of all CAG clients first. As part of the Board he safeguards the charity’s assets and in particular the reputation of the charity.

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Laura Evans

Trustee

Laura joined the Board as a Trustee in 2022.

 

Laura was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in October 2020, and since May 2021, she has been cancer free.

 

Laura feels that Clydebank Asbestos Group helped her when she needed it the most and believes that being part of the Board helps her give something back by raising awareness and sharing her experience of once having Mesothelioma.

 

As part of the West Dunbartonshire HSCP Laure redesigns services within the care sector and enjoys making changes to processes which helps people’s day-to-day lives. 

 

In her spare time Laura loves going to restaurants, being active, and holidays.

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Mike Thomson

Trustee

Mike joined as a CAG board member in 2022.

 

For the last 10 years Mike has been working as a senior Compliance Officer with West Dunbartonshire Council dealing with the management of asbestos containing materials in the council’s operational and housing premises. He is qualified in asbestos management and surveying.

 

As part of his duties Mike carries out asbestos awareness training to trades people and those who instruct works where asbestos may be present.

 

The training is very important in making people aware of the dangers of exposure to asbestos containing materials not only to themselves but also to others who may be affected by their works.

 

Mike has supported CAG over many years dealing with clients enquiries and helping to advise on matters in relation to asbestos management.

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Dr Noelle O’Rourke

Trustee

Noelle is a Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer based at the Beatson Cancer Centre in Glasgow.  

 

She started as a Consultant caring for patients with lung cancer and mesothelioma at Gartnavel Hospital in 1996 and had the pleasure in more recent times of working alongside Theresa in the clinic there. She was the founding Lead Clinician for the West of Scotland Lung Cancer Network in 2003 and contributed to the national mesothelioma multidisciplinary team since its formation. In 2021 she was appointed as National Clinical Lead for the new Scottish Cancer Network commissioned by Scottish Government with responsibility for oversight of the national mesothelioma network.

While this has been a challenging job for over 25 years, it has been a privilege to work with the patients and families who have suffered so much from asbestos exposure. Noelle is delighted to join the board and contribute in whatever way she can.

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Tommy Gorman

Trustee

Tommy Gorman is a dedicated advocate for social justice and community welfare, with a career spanning decades of impactful work in public service, charity, and advocacy. 

 

Tommy’s connection to the Clydebank Asbestos Group (CAG) dates back to its inception, where he played a pivotal role in supporting the charity’s mission to advocate for victims of asbestos-related illnesses. In his capacity as Welfare Rights Manager at West Dunbartonshire Council, Tommy worked closely with CAG, contributing to their groundbreaking campaigns and legal reforms, particularly during the early days of the asbestos struggles. 

After his tenure at West Dunbartonshire Council, Tommy continued his impactful work as a Senior Project Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support. His extensive experience in project management, advocacy, and community engagement has made him a respected figure in the charity sector.

In 2024, Tommy joined the board of CAG, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the charity’s mission and history. His lifelong dedication to social justice, combined with his professional expertise, makes him a vital asset to the charity as it continues to fight for the rights and well-being of those affected by asbestos-related diseases.

ASBESTOS AND CLYDEBANK

Scotland has had a long association with the asbestos industry. Scottish entrepreneurs were among the pioneers in developing the manufacture of asbestos products, with the first companies appearing in the 1870s. One account suggests that it was two Scottish businessmen who first introduced the mineral to the United Kingdom, establishing the Patent Asbestos Manufacturing Company in Glasgow to process asbestos, imported initially from Canada in 1871.

CLYDEBANK MEMORIAL

In 2014 Clydebank Asbestos Group commissioned Jephson Robb, and internationally recognised artist, to design a memorial as a tribute to all those, known and unknown, who have died of an asbetos-related disease.

 

The memorial is an impressive feature in the heart of the town centre and was unveiled on 30th May 2015 by Fiona Maguire, the widow of Frank Maguire, an iconic figure in the fight for Truth and Justice.

CONTACT US

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Registered Charity No: SCO22856

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