Former Butlin's handyman battling asbestos-related cancer wants to hear from ex-Filey colleagues

Robert Scarpelli (58), of Maltby, has told of his race against time to find out more about the cause of his illness and the conditions at the Filey holiday camp in the early 1980s.

He said: “My life has just been completely turned upside down by this terrible diagnosis and I am now incredibly worried for the future — I just want to know what caused my illness before it's too late. 

“Any help with gaining answers regarding this would be hugely appreciated.”

The father-of-three has been left “devastated” after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma — a form of cancer which often develops decades after exposure to asbestos. 

In 1980, he began work as a Butlin’s kitchen porter (pictured below) and then moved into maintenance, before the camp eventually closed its doors in 1983.

Speaking about his handyman job, Mr Scarpelli said: “The role involved a range of tasks from repairing locks and windows to roofing leaks. 

“Quite often, I would have to drill into walls and this would create lots of dust, while I would also board holes up with a material I thought was just plasterboard. 

“Looking back, I am now unsure whether it may have in fact been asbestos.”

Mr Scarpelli developed serious breathing problems last summer and, following a chest X-ray, a significant amount of fluid was drained from his lungs. 

Further tests then confirmed that he had developed malignant pleural mesothelioma.

He said he was “completely stunned” by the diagnosis and the illness had had a huge impact on his life. 

“I have had a permanent tube fitted to drain fluid from my lungs and I am currently recovering from radical surgery to remove the lining of my lung called a pleurectomy,” said Mr Scarpelli. “I have also had six cycles of chemotherapy. 

“Some days the pain is unbearable and I am on morphine as I attempt to manage that.”

Mr Scarpelli has now instructed specialist expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness and help him determine how it was caused.

The firm is now calling on anyone who worked with Mr Scarpelli during his time at Butlin’s between 1980 to 1982 to come forward and help determine if his asbestos exposure could have occurred at the holiday site.

Adrian Budgen, specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “This is a shocking case because Robert has developed mesothelioma at what is a relatively young age for this form of cancer.

“Robert is understandably devastated by the diagnosis and we are determined to help him gain answers and access to vital financial support which will assist with his ongoing treatment needs.

“We would be hugely grateful to anyone who may be able to help us with our investigations by shedding light on the conditions at the Butlin’s holiday camp in Filey at the time in question.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Adrian Budgen at Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office on 0114 274 4371 or [email protected]. 

A spokesman for Bourne Leisure, which now operatess the camp, said: “The circumstances of this particular claim relate to a period prior to our acquisition of Butlin’s in 2000. 

“Should we be approached then the matter would be passed to the previous owners to respond.”