At Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary, Aggie Mackay and Michelle Cunningham see first-hand the devastation caused by asbestos-related conditions.

“It could be lung cancer, or mesothelioma, and it is often really difficult for the patient to accept,” explains Aggie.

“They might not even realise they have been exposed to asbestos, so it’s hard for them to take in the diagnosis, and we see a lot of fear and shock.”

She adds: “That’s where Action on Asbestos come in.”

Glasgow Times:

Action on Asbestos, which has been providing free practical and emotional support to those affected by mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos and work-related diseases and injuries for more than 35 years, stands to benefit from a £16,000 cash pot donated by the owners of The Glasgow Times.

Aggie and Michelle are oncology specialist nurses who deal with both lung cancer and mesothelioma, a type of cancer which develops in the lining covering the outer surface of some of the body's organs. It is usually linked to asbestos exposure.

Helping to guide and support patients through diagnosis and treatment, the two women also work closely with Action on Asbestos.

“The charity is fantastic. They are the experts in helping people who have been exposed to asbestos, with emotional and financial support,” says Aggie.

“They run support groups and give practical advice, which is really important.”

Michelle, a former palliative care nurse who joined GRI around three years ago, agrees.

Glasgow Times:

“We are all very conscious of the psychological and emotional effects a diagnosis like this can have, and Action on Asbestos can provide another level of support.” she says.

Aggie, who joined GRI from the Beatson 15 years ago, says the charity is a passionate advocate for patients.

“We are in touch with them regularly and they are incredibly important in the wider care of patients with these conditions ,” she says.

Action on Asbestos also fund a specialist nurse dedicated to improving care for patients with pleural disease, including those with mesothelioma, at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the charity provided funding for Scotland’s first dedicated nurse for work-related lung conditions based at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

For more information call the free Action on Asbestos helpline 0800 089 1717.

People power will determine how a fantastic £16,000 cash pot is spent in Glasgow.

The Glasgow Times is giving local charities the chance to share in the money and it is down to our readers to decide.

Ten Scottish charities - Action on Asbestos, Galashiels Foodbank, East Lothian Roots and Fruits, Greenock Medical Aid Society, Fermanagh Brightstarz, Fairway Fife, RSABI, Cancer Support Scotland, Sense Scotland Touchbase Ayrshire and Finding Your Feet - will each get a proportion of the money.

To determine how the £16,000 is allocated, readers are invited to collect tokens which will appear in our newspapers every day during November until the closing date.

You can then post your tokens to Glasgow Times Readers’ Choice Cash for Charity Nominations, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG. You can also hand them in at the Action on Asbestos head office at 245 High Street, Glasgow, G4 0QR.

Tokens must arrive by the closing date of Sunday, November 20.

Each token collected will then be used to allocate cash to the nominated charity. So if your favourite good cause collects 50% of all tokens collected, it will receive £8000.

Newsquest terms and conditions apply where relevant to the grants process. More tokens are included in today’s newspaper - so get collecting and support your favourite charity.