The widow of a steel worker from Aylesbury who died of asbestos-related cancer is carrying out her husband's last wish - by appealing for information on how he fell ill.
Graham Wheatley passed away in March 2018 at the age of 74, just two months after being diagnosed with mesothelioma - a cancer in the lining of the lungs, most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos.
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The dad of eight worked for Pressed Steel in Cowley, Oxfordshire, for 10 years, from 1965 to 1975.
And before he died, Graham had instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how he developed the illness - and whether it could have been as a result of his working life.
But Graham was never able to get answers - and now his widow, Susan, is continuing with the investigation alongside the legal team.
Susan is appealing to anyone who worked for Pressed Steel alongside her late husband to come forward with information on the working conditions he faced.
Emma Guy, the asbestos-related disease expert at Irwin Mitchell representing Susan, said: "Graham's death has robbed him of the opportunity to see justice done, and his wife and family remain devastated by their loss.
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"Through our work, we are sadly all too familiar with people developing serious illness after being exposed to asbestos in their workplaces.
"If anyone remembers working with Graham at the Cowley plant, and recalls any information that may help with the investigation, we would be grateful if they could come forward."
Graham began working for Pressed Steel in 1965 and spent 10 years at the Cowley plant.
He worked alongside his brother, Clive.
Graham's role was to operate a forklift truck loading car parts, which often contained asbestos, on and off lorries.
This included brakes, which were not well stacked within the crates so when they were lifted or moved, the asbestos would be disturbed and released dust and fibres into the air.
As a result, the crates were constantly dusty - and Clive recalled that the forklifts would also accidentally knock and damage the pipework, which was lagged with asbestos.
Graham began complaining of back pain mid-2017.
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He was referred to hospital in October that year, where he underwent a series of tests including a CT scan.
He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in January 2018 and died two months later on 26 March.
At the time of his death, Graham had been married to Susan for 38 years.
After he died, Susan, 66, said: "To this day, it is still incredibly upsetting to know Graham is no longer here.
"After he was given the diagnosis, he deteriorated so quickly.
"He began falling over, lost a lot of weight, and was breathless and fatigued.
"He was very weak towards the end and would just lay in bed a lot; it was unbearable to see him like that and I still miss him terribly.
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"While there is nothing I can do to bring him back, all I can do now is get the answers he deserved.
"I would really appreciate it if any of his workmates would come forward with details that could help us determine what led him to develop such a horrible illness."
Anyone with information that may assist with this case is asked to contact Emma Guy on 0207 421 3913 or by e-mail at emma.guy@irwinmitchell.com.
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