The daughters of a former quantity surveyor who died from asbestos-related cancer are appealing to their dad’s former workmates for information on how the father-of-two may have encountered the substance.

Christopher May, from Cheam, Surrey, died from mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

Asbestos-related disease lawyers instructed to investigate

Following their dad’s death, daughters Sarah Fallows, 45 and Katherine May, 48 instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate Christopher’s illness and if his asbestos exposure could be linked to his work history.

Sarah and Katherine have now joined with the legal team to appeal for any of the 82-year-old’s former workmates to come forward with information on the working conditions he faced during his employment.

The daughters are keen to trace anyone who worked with their dad during his time as a quantity surveyor for Andrew Roberts and Partners, London, from 1974 to 1979.

Lucy Andrews is the expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting Christopher’s daughters. 

Expert Opinion

“Sarah and Katherine are understandably still coming to terms with their father’s death and the revelation that he died from mesothelioma.

“With the loss of their mum Margaret in 2020, the last few years have been very difficult for the whole family.

“The knowledge that Christopher died from asbestos-related disease has left his daughters with a lot on unanswered questions and while nothing can bring their dad back, we’re determined to help them find the answers concerning his asbestos exposure.

“If anyone who worked with Christopher could come forward, it would mean a lot to his daughters and could make all the difference in delivering the answers they deserve.” Lucy Andrews

Mesothelioma: Christopher’s story

Born in 1941 in Cheam, Surrey, Christopher spent a lot of his career in the construction industry. In 1974 he went to work for Andrew Roberts and Partners as a quantity surveyor and remained with the company for five years until 1979. Andrew Roberts and Partners is no longer trading.

Based in London, Christopher's role took him to many different sites and locations including across the Southeast and home counties, and in Yorkshire.

Christopher married his wife Margaret in 1970 and the couple had two children together, Sarah and Katherine.

Christopher loved classic cars and racing. Christopher also enjoyed spending time with his family.

In 2015 Christopher and Margaret moved to Rawdon in Leeds to be closer to their two daughters and grandchildren. Sadly Margaret died in January 2020.

Christopher had always enjoyed good health until he started having difficulty breathing in the summer of 2022. He consulted his GP and was sent for tests but by May 2023 his condition worsened and he relied on his daughters for help when he was in and out of hospital.

Christopher died on 26 June, 2023. His mesothelioma diagnosis was confirmed in the post- mortem.

Daughter pays tribute to ‘a great dad and grandpa’

Sarah said: “Dad was an amazing man and a great dad and grandpa and it’s devastating to think he’s no longer with us and he won’t see his granddaughters grow up.

“The fact mum and dad moved so the family could be close together tells you everything. Dad was a real family man.

“Dad had always been so fit, so it was a shock when he started to develop breathing problems. We initially put this to a chest infection. We were shocked when we found out it was a cancer related to asbestos-exposure.