'Paul Readhead and Robin Smedley'

Readley

Asbestos & Mesothelioma

Support Group

UK North East

Registered Charity Number 1192898

Readley - The heart of who and why we are

The Paul Readhead Asbestos Support and Awareness Group was launched in October 2015 by Samantha Cox in memory of her father Paul Readhead.  Sam has personal experience of mesothelioma after caring for her father.  Sam is a qualified counsellor and a registered member of the BACP and has trained with CRUSE Bereavement.  During her father's illness it highlighted to her the need for a holistic approach, encompassing emotional, physical, social and financial wellbeing.

This was the beginning of The Paul Readhead Asbestos Support and Awareness Group and with considerable support from her sister in law Lucy Reynoldson, Chris Knighton MBE (MKMRF), Leah Taylor (Mesothelioma UK), Lynne and Lisa (HASAG) the support group became a reality.

Readley - Our journey continues

The journey and growth of our support group continues. Early in 2019, whilst now aiming for charity status we were advised our abreviated group name 'PRASAG' needed to be changed for legal reasons. Within no time at all Sam, Sharon, Joanne and Leah agreed 'ReadLey' in everlasting loving memory of fathers Paul Readhead and Robin Smedley.

A Special Level of Care at our Meetings

Monthly support group meetings

Home visits

Help and advice on benefits and compensation

Emotional support

Each group is attended by Leah Taylor, Mesothelioma UK Clinical Nurse Specialist who provides information about Mesothelioma, including symptoms, treatments and clinical trials. 

Legal help

We have a panel of experienced solicitors specialising in asbestos claims. The services they offer include:

Home visits throughout the UK

No cost to patients or their family

100% compensation received

Solicitors attend the monthly group to provide no obligation advice and support.

Our meetings are social and informal in a warm and friendly environment for people affected by asbestos related disease and their carers.

At each of the group meetings we also have Joanne Anderson our specialist Mesothelioma UK nurse, plus we also have Sarah Thomas our benefits advisor, both at hand to support you in every way possible.

Refreshments are provided at our face-to-face group meetings.

Readley - Action Mesothelioma Day UK 2024

5th July at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield

We extend our warmest wishes to you all.

As most of you will know the first Friday of July, this year falling on the 5th, is recognised each year as Action Mesothelioma Day and held regionally, all over the country, with various fundraising events to raise awareness of mesothelioma. The day is a day of remembrance for lives lost and hope for the future for patients already diagnosed. The day is focused around hope and positivity and we hope it will be an informative celebration of the great works going on in the world of mesothelioma today.

We therefore,cordially invite you to our event on the 5th July at Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, County Durham. The event will begin at 10.30am with a welcome reception, at 11am we have invited several guest speakers to give informative presentations. We will also have a sponsored dove release and a minutes silence to commemorate the lives lost to mesothelioma and as a symbol of hope and positivity for anyone affected by the disease. There will be a light lunch around 1.30pm before we bring the day event to a close around 2.30pm. There is the opportunity to sponsor a dove, please see the attached sponsor form if this is something of interest to yourself.

For the last 5 years, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, a very prominent, local landmark for people of the north-east, has been lit up blue to commemorate the day in aid of our charity ‘READLEY’. A previous Mayor of Gateshead, Neil Weatherley, and several other Gateshead Mayor's before him have died of mesothelioma! Neil and his wife Hazel arranged the very first occasion, he was at that time attending our support groups, but sadly, has passed away since then. Since Neil's passing, READLEY have gone on to support another Mayor of Gateshead throughout his mesothelioma journey who has sadly also lost his life unnecessarily through asbestos exposure.

We sincerely hope you are able to accept our invitation to this very special day in the world of mesotheliomas calendar and we look forward to meeting you at this Action Mesothelioma 'special' Day. We look forward to seeing everyone on the 5th July.