New memorial for Mesothelioma unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum
Today saw the dedication of a stone sculpture that I have been working on honouring all serving and veteran members of the British Armed Forces with the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma. The memorial sculpture has been installed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
The sculpture was commissioned by Mesothelioma UK, the national asbestos-related cancer charity.
The memorial is made up of more than 60 carved stone blocks representing the building blocks of life and public service. The blocks form a tower which, although damaged, is supported above and below. The supporting blocks represent the support offered by the charity. Each stone block is engraved with information about the charity, mesothelioma, asbestos and the armed forces.
The sculpture weighs 3 tonnes and is 3 metres tall. The lettering and mesothelioma logo have been hand carved from Clipsham Limestone. Despite being displaced, the text can be read down each face of the sculpture. The alternate upper and lower case fonts on each face, work to ensure that the inscription reads comfortably As well as details about the disease, the inscriptions also describe the work of the charity, Mesothelioma UK.
Mesothelioma UK is a national resource centre dedicated to providing specialist mesothelioma information, support and improved care and treatment for all UK mesothelioma patients, their carers and health care professionals. The centre promotes the development of Specialist Mesothelioma Nursing practice and funds over 30 specialist nursing posts around the UK. For more information, visit www.mesothelioma.uk.com
The sculpture has been funded by private donations and more details can be found at https://mesotheliomauk.tributepage.org/armedforcesmemorial
