Andrew Finlay has been diagnosed with mesothelioma – an aggressive and incurable lung cancer caused by historic exposure to asbestos
01:00, 28 Jan 2026Updated 06:23, 28 Jan 2026
Andrew Finlay(Image: Submitted)
A Gateshead grandad with an aggressive and incurable lung cancer says that the diagnosis has “devastated” his life. Andrew Finlay, 71, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in April 2025.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by historic exposure to asbestos, and can lie dormant for decades before its symptoms become clear. Grandad-of-three Andrew, from Rowlands Gill, says he was “shocked and devastated” to learn of his diagnosis, and remembers the significant levels of dust in the Bonded Warehouses on Newcastle’s Hanover Street, where he worked in 1971 at the age of 17.
The 71-year-old, who is on sick leave from his two cleaning jobs, has now appealed for help in understanding how he came into contact with asbestos. Andrew, who lives with partner Karen, said: “This has been absolutely awful, I never thought my later years would be like this.
“I’m proud of the fact I continue to work, but it has been so difficult with my mesothelioma, I’m not sure when or if I’ll be able to return. I would be so grateful to anyone who could help with any information.”
Andrew was employed by Newcastle Warehousing Co Ltd when he worked in the Bonded Warehouses, a building which has since been converted into apartments. The company distilled, distributed and supplied spirits and wines.
He was employed as a general labourer in 1971, working in what was known as the “40 Bond” Warehouse. He was made redundant in 1978.
He recalled: “There were asbestos lagged pipes throughout the warehouses and this lagging was in poor, decrepit condition. The lagging was the cement type and it was broken and breaking in large parts.
“I remember the damaged parts were powdery and dusty and bits often fell to the floor when boxes banged into them. Generally speaking, the warehouse was filthy.
“It was really old and very dirty and dusty. There were big dust clouds when you swept up, because of the general dust levels in the warehouse, coupled with the fact that boxes had been disturbed and accumulated dust had been disturbed. It wasn’t a pleasant environment to work in.”
Andrew Finlay(Image: Submitted)
After leaving the Bonded Warehouses, the father-of-four had a number of other jobs across Tyneside, and recently had two part-time roles as a cleaner. When seeing medics about a chest infection last April, he was sent for further tests at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead and then the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, where he was diagnosed with mesothelioma.
He said: “I started immunotherapy in July, but unfortunately it made me too poorly so had to be stopped in November. I’m now having chemotherapy.
“I’m devastated that this illness has already had such an effect on my life – I have been on sick leave from my jobs for a little while now and I no longer receive sick pay, so things have become quite difficult financially. This is a really difficult time for me and my family, and any help in getting the answers I need around where I contracted mesothelioma would be greatly appreciated.”
Andrew is being supported by law firm Slater and Gordon in pursuing answers around his diagnosis, and is being represented by industrial disease specialist lawyer Madelene Holdsworth. Madelene said: “Andrew is a very hardworking man, who began his working life aged 15 and continued to work in two different jobs into his 70s – but his life, and plans for retirement with Karen, have been devastated by this mesothelioma diagnosis.
“Andrew and his family are doing their best to cope with the illness and its impact, but this has affected them greatly. We will support them all in every way possible to find the answers they need around Andrew’s probably asbestos exposure, and we would be grateful for any information particularly regarding the Bonded Warehouses. This would mean a great deal to this family at what is a very difficult and distressing time.”