Specialists in pursuing claims for people harmed through work or during medical treatment
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20th Apr 2010
Honour those killed trying to earn a living
Barnsley residents are being invited to remember loved ones, friends and colleagues at a special ceremony to commemorate Workers Memorial Day on Wednesday (28 April).
The annual gathering at the Town Hall Cenotaph, now in its third year, is an opportunity to pay respect to people who have lost their lives as a result of work-related accidents and illnesses.
Mayor John Parkinson will be joined by departing Barnsley West and Penistone MP Mick Clapham, Yorkshire Area NUM chairman Chris Skidmore and author Dave Douglass in leading the tributes.
Councillor Joe Hayward will lead a plaque laying ceremony in the Town Hall Gardens to close the ceremony.
John Welch, a partner at Raleys Solicitors, which is organising the event for the third year running, said: “Workers Memorial Day is an opportunity for the families and friends of victims to join health and safety campaigners, trade unions, politicians and the community at large in remembrance of those who have lost their lives through accident or illness at work.
“It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the ongoing campaign to secure better protection for working men and women through better regulation and more accountability. Last year, 180 people lost their lives in work-related accidents in the UK, and 27,000 people suffered serious injury. Many of these accidents are entirely avoidable and lead to needless tragedy.
“The UK is officially recognising Workers Memorial Day for the first time this year. With its rich industrial heritage, it is apt that commemorative events like this are already well established in South Yorkshire. It would be great to see as many people as possible on the day and show that the memories of those who have lost their lives live on.”
Workers Memorial Day is commemorated by trade unions across the globe. It is estimated that worldwide one worker dies every 15 seconds as a result of accidents in the workplace.
MEDIA CALL: If you would like to attend the Workers Memorial Day commemorative ceremony in Barnsley, or would like to interview the speakers and organisers, please contact Paul Newham at Nexnet PR on 0113 2470029, or e-mail paul.newham@nexnet.co.uk.
Ends
Issued on behalf of Raleys Solicitors, www.raleys.co.uk, by Nexnet PR, 8 York Place, Leeds, LS1 2DS, www.nexnet.co.uk. For further information call Nexnet on 0113 247 0029 or email paul.newham@nexnet.co.uk, joanne.mead@nexnet.co.uk or sophie.mccandlish@nexnet.co.uk
