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04
Jun
Local thalidomide campaigner backs demonstration against Diageo
A leading Harrogate thalidomide survivor is supporting a demonstration against global drinks corporation Diageo today (June 4).
The campaigners, many of whom are among the UK’s remaining 415 thalidomide survivors, are demanding action over what they describe as an 'unresolved historical debt'.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Diageo's predecessor, Distillers, marketed thalidomide as a safe treatment for pregnant women.
But it was not tested thoroughly and thousands of babies suffered catastrophic and irreversible injuries in the womb. Many more did not survive.
Now in their mid-sixties, survivors face rapidly worsening health caused by decades of physical strain and disability.
They are calling on Diageo to ringfence all funding already pledged to thalidomide survivors before 2037, fully fund increasing lifetime care, formally acknowledge the lifelong stigma, exclusion and loss of autonomy survivors have endured, and provide immediate lump-sum payments for home adaptations needed to maintain independence.
Guy Tweedy
Harrogate-based Guy Tweedy, a founding director of Thalidomide Voice, supports today's action.
His Thalidomide Voice van is frequently seen around the town.
Mikey Argy, chair of Thalidomide Voice, said:
After 60 years, we want full recognition of the dignity we have been denied. We have lived not only with physical trauma, but with lifelong stigma and exclusion.
Campaigners say Diageo generates around £3 billion in annual profits, while reportedly committing £50 million for Guinness sponsorship of the Premier League.
They argue that a fraction of the company’s wealth could secure dignity and support for survivors for the rest of their lives.
Financial contributions
A Diageo spokesperson said:
Since Diageo inherited the thalidomide legacy in 1997, we have taken our role very seriously. Through our engagement with the Thalidomide Trust, we will continue to take that approach.
We have a long track record of working with, and supporting the trust, in their efforts to ensure that the long-term care and financial support for people injured by thalidomide is secure.
We have regularly increased our financial contributions to the trust to reflect the changing needs of its members. In the last 10 years an additional £58 million has been paid out directly to beneficiaries. This is in addition to the annual payments, and we have also provided significant targeted funding for support where we have been told beneficiaries need this. We have set aside funding until 2037 to ensure that long-term financial support remains.
Deborah Jack, chief executive, of the Thalidomide Trust:
We are in frequent dialogue with Diageo, who have never sought to avoid their obligations under the covenant, including some already scheduled meetings over the next few months which will include beneficiary representatives.
We believe it is essential that we talk to Diageo with one voice and are disappointed that Thalidomide Voice have chosen to take this action, without the support of the majority of the thalidomide community.
However, Dr Martin Johnson, who headed Thalidomide Trust for 14 years until 2013, is backing Thalidomide Voice.
Dr Johnson said:
I have been told about your campaign to secure a lump sum payment for all beneficiaries in this year’s Diageo review. It is a shame that the trust does not seem to wish to engage with Thalidomide Voice, or indeed any elected beneficiaries. In this, they are clearly departing from the founding principles agreed between Distillers and your parents, which is concerning.
Thalidomide was a drug believed to have been developed and then marketed by a German pharmaceutical company, Chemie Grünenthal in the 1950s.
The company marketed the drug as a safe sedative, including for pregnant women. Because of inadequate testing thousands of babies were born with significant disabilities. It was withdrawn from the market in December 1961.
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