A year since the death of Dundee United legend Frank Kopel, his widow Amanda is stepping up the pressure on the Scottish Government in the bid to secure free personal care for dementia sufferers under the age of 65.
The Courier-backed Frank’s Law campaign has attracted lots of warm words but there is still no firm commitment from those in power.
Amanda is refusing to give up her battle and has accused officials of trotting out “excuse after excuse”
She said: “They’ve completely lost sight of what Frank’s Law is about: age discrimination.
“It is insensitive and insulting to say that nobody under 65 needs personal care.
“Diseases and conditions don’t wait around for that magic number 65 to strike, they can affect anybody.”
She says she has found motivation in the huge number of people to have contacted her since Frank’s death last April.
“I’ve been heartened by all the people, from all walks of life, who have said to me ‘what is taking them so long?’,” she said.
“It seems to be excuse after excuse.
“Last year it was the referendum, this year it’s the election, but we’re assured progress is coming.”
Son Scott and his wife Jacqueline have also been heavily involved in the campaign, and Jacqueline is taking part in the London Marathon her first ever to raise funds for local services in Angus.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We recognise the concerns that have been raised by Amanda Kopel, and others, about fairer charging for social care.
“The Scottish Government, in partnership with COSLA, has already ensured that no one in the last six months of a terminal illness is charged for the care they receive at home.
“We are considering very carefully what further action we can take to deliver fairer care for the people of Scotland and will make sure Amanda Kopel is updated once these discussions have concluded.”