Today, Rachel was joined by Russell Hancock, son of Asbestosis campaigner June Hancock, as well as representatives from Leeds Occupational Health, the local Trade Unions and local residents to plant a memorial tree in the grounds of Armley Mills Industrial Museum.

The tree will form part of an education project and exhibition, telling the story of local Asbestos factory J W Roberts, and the terrible legacy left for the workers, their families and residents of Armley.

Russell Hancock runs the June Hancock Memorial Fund, which has so far raised over a million pounds to support those affected by asbestos-related diseases.

Planting the tree, Rachel said “This memorial is important to remind everyone of the terrible cost of industrial diseases like mesothelioma, and to comemmorate the suffering of the residents of Armley, and their long struggle for justice.”