Families in Corby, Northamptonshire, are seeking answers regarding a potential link between toxic waste sites and a rise in childhood cancers. The community’s concerns have intensified following the experiences of families like Alison Gaffney and Andy Hinde, whose 17-month-old son, Fraser, was diagnosed with a rare type of leukaemia in 2018. After enduring two years of rigorous treatment, including chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, Fraser achieved remission. As Fraser began to recover, Gaffney became increasingly troubled by the possibility that environmental factors could have contributed to her son’s illness.
Hospital staff had previously commented on the unusual nature of Fraser’s cancer, suggesting it could not be genetic. “It keeps us up at night wondering how Fraser got his cancer,” Gaffney shared. She recalled the historical context of Corby, where the closure of Europe’s largest steelworks in 1979 led to the controversial disposal of millions of tonnes of contaminated waste. This issue gained attention in 2009 when a civil case connected the ineffective clean-up efforts to a range of birth defects in local children during the 1980s and 1990s. The situation was later depicted in the 2025 Netflix series, Toxic Town.
Gaffney noted, “Everybody in this town knows somebody who’s got a child with cancer. That’s not normal.” She and Hinde have since collaborated with approximately 130 families affected by childhood cancer since 1988, pushing for a comprehensive investigation into the health implications of the waste disposal practices in their town.
The North Northamptonshire Council is expected to release an analysis by the end of the month assessing whether Corby has experienced an unusually high incidence of childhood cancer among its population of around 70,000. “All we want is to try and protect future people so they do not have to endure the pain that we’ve been through,” Gaffney stated.
The 2009 civil ruling confirmed that between 1983 and 1997, contaminated materials were routinely transferred from the south of Corby to Deene Quarry. This process generated significant amounts of dust and involved the transportation of toxic waste on public roads. Nonetheless, reports from the Environment Agency indicated that stockpiles of contaminated material were later removed from Deene Quarry in substantial amounts. Gaffney believes that waste was not confined to this site and may have been dumped in various locations throughout Corby.
Recent developments indicate a breakthrough, as North Northamptonshire Council has committed to testing land suspected of contamination. During a meeting, council officials acknowledged their lack of records regarding potential contamination sites. “They said: ‘We don’t know where these sites are. We have no documentation, we have nothing on it,’” Gaffney recounted.
In a statement to the Guardian, the council confirmed that waste was primarily disposed of at Deene Quarry but acknowledged concerns raised about other possible contamination sites. “We are thoroughly reviewing historic records to see if there is any information which suggests that disposal could have taken place elsewhere. This work will take time,” they stated.
The transparency displayed during the recent meeting impressed Gaffney and Hinde. “Local authorities don’t normally hold their hands up and take this on, but we’re really proud of them for doing so,” Gaffney remarked.
The council’s initiative has been welcomed by community members impacted by childhood cancer. Tonia Shalgosky, a primary school pastoral lead, shared the emotional toll of her nine-year-old daughter Bella’s recent blood cancer diagnosis. “I had to shave my nine-year-old daughter’s head because her hair was falling out from the drugs she had to take to kill her cancer,” she explained. Shalgosky echoed the sentiment that the community’s cancer rates warrant serious examination, stating, “This can’t be normal.”
Meg Lyons, who lost her sister Eve to rare bone cancer in 2017, emphasized the need for transparency from the council. “Families deserve complete and utter truth and transparency,” she said. Her mother had noted the detrimental effects of the steel plant’s closure on the local environment, describing conditions where “you couldn’t put your hand in front of your face because [of] the red ash.”
The 2009 civil claim involved multiple families, including that of Maggie Mahon, whose infant was born with a birth defect linked to the waste disposal practices. Mahon’s husband was one of the lorry drivers responsible for transporting waste from the steelworks. Their story was featured in the Toxic Town series, illustrating the community’s struggles.
Gaffney revealed that whistleblowers involved in the waste disposal have approached their campaign group. One of those involved was her father, who described the lack of regulation at the time. “He wasn’t even licensed to drive a lorry. He said: ‘Me and the other guys weren’t licensed but they had us drive these big lorries through the town, just dumping it,’” she recounted.
Des Collins, the lawyer from the 2009 claim, now represents Gaffney and other families seeking accountability. He argued that only a statutory public inquiry would ensure a comprehensive understanding of the situation. “Environmental testing, in order to rule out causation, is a highly complex process requiring stringent parameters and oversight,” he explained. Collins emphasized that a public inquiry is essential to reassure the public that the full truth will be revealed.
In response to ongoing concerns, council leader Martin Griffiths affirmed a commitment to work collaboratively with the community. He stated that the meeting with Gaffney and Hinde was a positive step towards addressing public health and contamination issues in Corby. The council plans to establish a working group, including Gaffney, to further investigate these pressing concerns.
Gaffney expressed hope that land testing will commence following the formation of this group. “Now, every family that comes through, I’m listening to their stories and it’s so hard. If anything, it just gives us that further fight,” she said. “We’ve got to find answers for these children.” The determination of Corby families serves as a powerful reminder of the human impact of environmental negligence and the need for transparency and accountability in safeguarding public health.
