A group of Mackay locals and businesses have rallied together in a heartfelt campaign to honour Leah Smith, a much-loved community member who tragically lost her life to an asbestos-related disease.
After learning of Leah’s avoidable death, caused by inhaling asbestos fibres as a child, supporters across the region united to help raise awareness and prevent others from suffering the same fate.
It was just eight months and one day after diagnosis, when Philip Smith’s beloved 49-year-old wife and the mother of their two sons, Leah, tragically lost her battle with malignant mesothelioma on 22 August 2024.
“Every year, around 4,000 Australians die from avoidable asbestos-related diseases because they fail to take the warnings about disturbing asbestos seriously,” said Mr Smith.
“With one of Leah’s final wishes being to generate awareness of the dangers of asbestos and the hideous diseases associated with exposure to the fibres including mesothelioma that took our Leah’s life; we’re doing everything in our power to honour our promise to Leah to help save lives,” he said.
Working in partnership with Advocacy Australia’s Asbestos Education Committee who conduct the annual National Asbestos Awareness Month campaign (November) to promote safe asbestos management at www.asbestosawareness.com.au, Philip Smith’s ‘Ride in Shorts for Leah’ initiative and his team of dedicated volunteers began their lifesaving mission to prevent others from suffering Leah’s same tragic and avoidable fate.
“To ensure Leah’s legacy is about saving lives, our national ‘Ride in Shorts for Leah’ campaign is working hard to increase awareness of the dangers of asbestos while raising vital funds to support the vital work of the Asbestos Education Committee,” Mr Smith said.
Leah was a well-regarded horsewoman so to continue to help save lives in her honour, Phillip and his dedicated team of supporters including the highly respected horsewomen Stephanie Wood and Jade Flack are continuing their mission through the ‘Ride in Shorts for Leah Auction’.
“We’re deeply grateful to Stephanie, Kath, Brett, Rebecca, Mark, Tonie and Synergy Performance for generously donating the stallion stud services of My Shining Ashwood, Highbrow Smart Pep, Rumblefish, Picasoes Panther, Drovers Romance, Oaks Redemption, Westlide Choice, Shonbar Cool Ability and Titanium Blue, respectively.
“We’re also grateful for the support of Ampol Beaconsfield and DMR Leisure, Clermont Veterinary Boarding Kennels and Petstock and Chrystle & Co, BMC Rural, BCF Mackay, Belyando Mitre 10 and Bling n Speed for donating high value prizes to the pool,” he said.
“With the total commercial value of auction items being around $42,000, bidding started at half the full value price with 100% of all funds raised donated to Advocacy Australia’s Asbestos Education Committee via the Ride in Shorts for Leah mycause donation page www.mycause.com.au/ride-in-shorts”
Leah Smith with her family in July 2024
Leah aged 5
Leah Smith’s passing has united Mackay locals in the “Ride in Shorts for Leah” campaign, turning tragedy into a nationwide asbestos-awareness and fundraising movement. Photos supplied
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