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In September 2020, father-of-three and grandfather-of-six Donald Lewis passed away aged 75, having been diagnosed with mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lung – tenth months earlier.

Donald, who was known as Don, worked as a British Rail fireman during his working days, where he came into contact with asbestos.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibre that was widely used in construction and other industries until the late 1990s.

Following his diagnosis in December 2019, Don, from Caerphilly, contacted a specialist asbestos related disease lawyer at law firm Irwin Mitchell to investigate how and where he could have been exposed. 

Unfortunately, Don passed away before the conclusion of the case.

His wife, Ann Lewis, continued pushing for answers; eventually reaching a settlement from the Department for Transport after it admitted liability for Don’s exposure.

Don was employed by British Rail between 1961 and 1968 at the Radyr site near Cardiff and worked in close proximity to fitters as they cut and tore asbestos rope.

Ahead of Action Mesothelioma Day on July 1, the family have paid tribute to a much-loved husband, father and grandfather and have warned of the dangers of asbestos.

Ann, who had been married to Don for 53 years, said: “Don’s diagnosis came as a shock to the whole family and in typical style, he didn’t give up and fought the disease all the way to the end.

“It was this determination that led him to seek answers and he would be so pleased that his case was a success.

“Don was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and we all miss him more than I can say. He was a caring man and this led him to warn others of the dangers of asbestos when he was first diagnosed.”

Alexandra Lausen, the asbestos-related disease expert at Irwin Mitchell said: “Two-and-a-half years after first meeting Don, we’re pleased to have secured the answers he and his family were looking for in respect of his asbestos exposure.

“The family is keen to do all they can to help ensure others don’t go through what they have and in speaking out, they hope to spread awareness of the very real dangers still posed by asbestos.”

Ann concluded: “Mesothelioma has robbed me of my husband and best friend and our grandchildren will now miss all the good times they would have had with their amazing grandad.

“We would urge anyone else who worked in similar industries to Donald and is now experiencing respiratory issues to speak up and seek advice as soon as possible.”