Former Tebro Toys worker issues urgent appeal following her mesothelioma diagnosis
A 64-year-old woman who has been diagnosed with a terminal cancer linked to asbestos exposure is asking for former colleagues to come forward with information regarding the potential presence of asbestos in the Bradford premises where they worked.
Posted on 21 December 2023
Lesley Wilkinson worked for Tebro Toys Limited between 1977 and 1982, and was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an aggressive and terminal form of cancer, in July 2023. She believes that her diagnosis may be the result of asbestos exposure at the soft toy manufacturer’s Bowling Mills/Douglas Mill premises.
Lesley’s connection with Tebro Toys Limited goes beyond her professional life. As a child growing up in Bradford, Lesley spent time at the factory as her mother worked there and would sometimes bring her along. Lesley went on to work in the packing department of the same factory in the late 70s / early 80s.
Lesley Wilkinson.
Tebro Toys Limited occupied part of the old Grade 2 listed warehouse buildings at Douglas Mills/ Bowling Mills in Bradford, which it is believed contained asbestos. Lesley’s day-to-day work included packing finished toys into boxes, putting labels on them and then stacking them in an area ready to be collected by the wagons. It is believed that there was asbestos in the fabric of the building, lagged pipes and other equipment. Asbestos materials may also have been present in the machines used for toy production.
Following her mesothelioma diagnosis, Lesley approached law firm Leigh Day to investigate the possible use of asbestos at the factory during this period.
Louisa Saville, senior associate solicitor in the Leigh Day asbestos claims team, said:
“Mesothelioma is an incurable, devastating disease that develops decades after an individual’s exposure to asbestos. As it is an old mill building, and the type where asbestos often would have been present, we would like to investigate whether Lesley would have been exposed to asbestos here.
“I encourage anyone with relevant information to contact us, particularly other fellow employees who worked in similar areas of the Mill who can confirm whether there was asbestos present where Lesley worked and how she may have come into contact with it. This information may be vital to her legal claim, and could help shed light on the potential workplace dangers that may have affected Lesley and others.”
If you can provide any relevant information please contact lsaville@leighday.co.uk or AMapp@leighday.co.uk, or call 0161 672 5308.
