Frank’s Law battle one step closer to victory

A WIDOW’S battle to extend free care for dementia patients has received a major boost.

Amanda Kopel has been calling on the Scottish Government to introduce Frank’s Law.

Named after her husband, Dundee United legend Frank Kopel, it would see under-65s diagnosed with dementia and other degenerative conditions become eligible for free care.

Now, Scottish Conservative MSP Miles Briggs has confirmed he will submit a Bill before Holyrood in the hope the SNP-led Government will bring in the legislation.

The move comes days after it was revealed that Celtic legend Billy McNeill, 76, was battling dementia.

After Frank was diagnosed with dementia aged just 59, Mrs Kopel and her family paid out around £300 a week.

Eventually, he was eligible for just 19 days of free personal care before his death in April 2014.

In an emotional speech at the Tory party conference in Glasgow, the campaigner said families were being pushed into poverty as a result of the current legislation.

She said: “I witnessed firsthand Frankie’s daily battle, a battle for his life, a battle which he and I both knew he was never going to win.

“And it was at this time that we learned about the discrimination against the under-65s when we found ourselves in an

Amanda and Frank took the campaign to Dundee United’s Tannadice Park.

Frank was a Dundee United legend in his playing days.