Playwright keen to tell Kopels’ story

The true story of Amanda and Frank Kopel’s journey to enact Frank’s Law is in the early stages of being turned into a play.

Scottish actor and playwright Iain Macrae said he felt inspired to develop the work after hearing Amanda’s story.

He said: “I was listening to the radio when I heard Amanda talking about Frank. I am old enough to remember him playing and signing for Manchester United.

“I was fascinated by the stories I was hearing Amanda tell.

“When Amanda told me what had happened with Frank, and how they had to sell things to care for him, I found that profoundly moving, it just about knocked the legs off me.

“I was so grateful at the time when I was listening to it that I had my back turned on my boy, because I couldn’t hold it together. I just found it so profoundly moving.

“I thought at the time: ‘You are in the business of theatre, and if it has this kind of effect on you, I must try and put something on stage.”

Mr Macrae writes in both English and Gaelic and won plaudits for telling of Raasay man Calum McLeod’s struggle to build a road on the island.

Amanda Kopel said it was “amazing” how well the country had taken to the Frank’s Law campaign, and joked Angelina Jolie could play her on stage.

Tireless campaigner Amanda is hoping to bring about a change in the law for dementia sufferers.

At the moment, only those aged over 65 can access free personal care, something Mrs Kopel called “blatant age discrimination”.

Her husband Frank, who played for Dundee United and Manchester United in the 1960s and 1970s, was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2008, under 65 and the age at which the Kopels could apply for free personal care.

Frank died at home shortly after his 65th birthday.

The campaign was given a boost in June, when the first steps were brought about to bring it into the statute books.

Dementia sufferer Frank Kopel was too young to qualify for free personal care.