Shipyard worker's son goes the extra mile for his dad

From the archive, first published Wednesday 7th Mar 2007.

THE son of a shipyard worker who died after breathing in asbestos has launched a £90,000 fundraising appeal in his memory.Joe Wallace, from the Red House area of Sunderland, died in 2005, aged 66, only months after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.He spent much of his working life in yards on the Wear and the Tyne, where he came into contact with the deadly dust.Mr Wallace, also a GMB shop steward, died shortly after retiring, leaving a wife, Babs, four children and several grandchildren.His youngest son, Paul, 32, of Sherburn Hill, near Durham City, is to run a series of half-marathons and hold fundraising events for the Joe Wallace Breath of Life Fund.Proceeds will go to the British Lung Foundation for research into the killer disease.Mr Wallace, a police community support officer, said: "I have lost my dad, but if I can help someone not to lose their dad and not go through what we went through, that would be great."This month, Mr Wallace will run the Liverpool half-marathon and 10km events in Manchester and Edinburgh in May. He will also take part in the Great North Run, in September.He is planning an England v Scotland five-a-side football tournament at Crowtree Leisure Centre, Sunderland, on Saturday, June 2, with some friends.He is also staging a fundraising party at the Springwell Inn, in Gateshead, during the Easter holidays. So far, he has raised £436, including a £100 donation from Taylormade Timber, and is hoping other firms and individuals will get behind the appeal.To help, or sponsor, Mr Wallace, call 07792 737813 or go to www.justgiving.com/joe wallace

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