Plea to former colleagues of ex Hornchurch teacher

A former Hornchurch teacher is appealing to former colleagues for help, as he seeks answers after diagnosis of a form of cancer associated with exposure to asbestos. He believes he may have come into contact with it at the school.

Kevin Sullivan, aged 66, taught mathematics at Sanders Draper School on Sutton Lane in Hornchurch from 1980 until 1983. During this period the school underwent building renovation work, and it is alleged that this is when Kevin could have been exposed to the deadly dust. Although the use of asbestos is now banned, many thousands of public buildings across the country had already installed it as an insulation material. Kevin recalls that pipes at the school were lagged with it. Builders only used rudimentary safeguards against spreading the fibres, which simply involved erecting polythene sheeting. Mr Sullivan recalls seeing escaped asbestos dust settling around the building.

After Kevin was told about his terminal condition, he instructed specialist asbestos disease lawyers at Ashtons Legal. His aim is to discover how he developed his illness, and whether anything could have been done to prevent it. His solicitor is therefore keen to hear from anyone who may have worked alongside Kevin and who may have knowledge about the presence of asbestos at the school during his time there.

The effects of inhaling asbestos can take three or four decades before they become known. Historically, those most likely to suffer from asbestos-related diseases have been laggers, building contractors and tradesmen, who either installed the material or worked on it later. However, more recently, specialists at Ashtons are seeing those who worked in public buildings, unconnected to construction or the building trade, such as Kevin.

His lawyer, Martyn Hayward, explains: “For many years, exposure to asbestos dust was generally associated with industry and construction. But more recently we are seeing those who have simply worked at premises which contain asbestos and has been installed years before. Quite reasonably, our client is devastated by his diagnosis and hopes that former colleagues may have some information that may provide him with some explanation of how he contracted the disease. Any information in respect of asbestos at the school could well be instrumental in helping us get Kevin the answers that he deserves.”

In a statement, Kevin says: “You don’t expect to go to work and be told 40 years later that, because of that working environment, your health is now seriously at risk.I would like to know why. I would urge anyone with any information to come forward. It could make a vast difference to me.”

If you have any information that could help Kevin, please contact Martyn Hayward on 01223 431112 or email martyn.hayward@ashtonslegal.co.uk