Yorkshire and Humberside Asbestos Support Group (SARAG) have been a lifeline for people across the region since it was founded in 1999, becoming a registered charity the following year. What started in Sheffield and Rotherham has grown over the years to reach right across the counties of Yorkshire, Humberside, and North Nottinghamshire, now supporting a population of around 5.7 million people in places like Barnsley, Bradford, Doncaster, Leeds, Hull, Rotherham, Sheffield, and York.

SARAG hold regular support group meetings in Bradford, Doncaster, Hull, and Sheffield, offering a friendly space for people affected by asbestos-related illness to meet, share experiences, and find support.

The charity also works closely with major hospitals across the region. Recently, SARAG have built new links with lung cancer nurse specialists at Hull Royal Infirmary and Scarborough General Hospital, who are now referring patients directly to the group, helping more people access the support they need.

Members of the RWK Goodman asbestos team were delighted to attend SARAG’s recent AGM in Barnsley, which was a wonderful celebration of the group’s past successes and ongoing work in the community. The meeting was opened by Nevyn Stevenson, Head of Service, who welcomed everyone and introduced the Mayor of Barnsley, Mr David Leech. The Mayor spoke warmly about the vital difference SARAG makes to people and families impacted by asbestos.

“Over the past year, Partner, Michael Wolstencroft has raised £2,700 for SARAG though a trio of challenges.”

Beth Cheshire, Chair of Trustees, then shared SARAG’s 2024–2025 Annual Report, which highlighted another busy and successful year and an incredible milestone, SARAG have now helped raise more than £40 million in financial support for service users since it began.

Next, Michaela Morris, Activity and Support Worker, spoke about the charity’s hands-on work in local communities, including over 855 attendances across six support group locations last year, as well as one-to-one and online sessions for those who can’t attend in person.

Deb Williams, Bereavement and Family Support Worker, gave a heartfelt talk about the emotional support SARAG provides for grieving families. She shared touching testimonials from service users, showing just how much this care and companionship means to people during difficult times.

The event also featured author Tom White, who introduced his new book “Bad Dust: A History of the Asbestos Disaster”, tracing the story of asbestos from being mined at origin in South Africa to its widespread and catastrophic use across the UK for more than half a century.

Over the past year, Partner, Michael Wolstencroft has raised £2,700 for SARAG though a trio of challenges, completing the Chester Marathon (October 2024), the Barcelona Marathon (March 2025), and the Yorkshire Three Peaks (June 2025). Michael said “Over the years, in my work helping people with mesothelioma and asbestos diseases and their families, I have seen first-hand the impact of the amazing work that SARAG do in supporting people who develop asbestos related illnesses across Yorkshire and Humberside. I wanted to push myself with some difficult challenges and fundraise for the charity to show how valued their work is.”

Our Mesothelioma and Asbestos team have also sought to help raise awareness of the impact of asbestos in the area by hosting a screening of the important 1982 documentary Alice – A Fight for Life in Hebden Bridge, attending Mesothelioma UK’s Patient and Carer Day in Leeds, the Invisible Threads screening in Sheffield, and Action Mesothelioma Day events in the region. Whilst we offer home visits to all our clients, we were also excited to open an office earlier this year at the Electric Works, just a five-minute walk from Sheffield train station.

If you or a loved one has been impacted by asbestos disease, then you can contact SARAG by phone on 01709 360 672 or via email at [email protected]