Waging of a tireless campaign

Frank’s Law will end the discrimination suffered by those under the age of 65 with terminal illnesses such as dementia.

The campaign was started by Amanda Kopel, wife of Dundee United legend Frank, as the family paid hundreds of pounds a week to care for her husband as his condition deteriorated.

Under current laws people become eligible for free personal care when they reach 65.

Before that, the vast majority have to pay for vital services.

Mrs Kopel’s tireless campaigning, backed by The Courier, sought to close that loophole and ensure care is provided because of a person’s need, not their date of birth.

The campaign’s power gathered national attention and won the backing of football supporters and highprofile celebrities. At the Scottish League Cup Final in 2015, supporters from both Dundee United and Celtic held a minute’s applause in the third minute – signifying Frank’s shirt number – to add their voices to the campaign.

Tennis superstars Sir Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, football heroes Denis Law, Billy McNeill and Gordon Strachan, and Game of Thrones actor Ron Donachie, Deacon Blue singer Ricky Ross and breakfast TV queen Lorraine Kelly all pledged their support.

Last year The Courier won the Making A Difference award when Frank’s Law was acknowledged as the best local newspaper campaign at the UK Regional Press awards.

The true story of Mr and Mrs Kopel’s journey to enact Frank’s Law is also in the early stages of being turned into a play by Iain Macrae.