Widow 'ecstatic' over Frank's Law personal care victory

The widow of former Dundee United footballer Frank Kopel has said she is "totally ecstatic" the first minister has pledged to implement "Frank's Law".

The new legislation will extend free personal care to under-65s with degenerative conditions.

Mr Kopel's wife, Amanda, has been campaigning for a change in the law since 2013. Her husband died in 2014 after being diagnosed with dementia.

Nicola Sturgeon announced the move at the Scottish Parliament.

Ms Sturgeon said: "The Scottish government undertook to carry out a study into the feasibility of making this change.

"That study has been published today and I am pleased to announce that we will now begin work to fully implement Frank's Law."

Mrs Kopel told BBC Scotland it was a "momentous day" for her and all those in Scotland who fought for a change in the law.

"Somewhere along the line I kept thinking that Frank's Law is a battle that is winnable.

"Yes there were really rough days - days when I felt like just giving up and thinking I can't go on with this any more because I kept getting knocked down.

"But so many people have been beside me."

Frank Kopel made more than 400 appearances for Dundee United

Mrs Kopel said the changes would mean the under-65s would no longer have to "jump through hoops" to get personal care if they were suffering from a degenrative condition.

She also admitted to shedding "quite a few tears" after hearing the first minister's pledge.

"It's been a bitter-sweet day because the one person I wanted to share the news with is not here," she said.

"But I know he will be proud of me, I know he'll be saying: 'You've done it, hen, you've kept your promise to me'."

Member's bill

Frank Kopel was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's in 2008, aged 59.

His family had to pay out about £300 a week on personal care towards the end of his life.

Personal health care is free for over 65s who are assessed by their local authority as needing it, but people under 65 are required to pay.

Scottish Conservative MSP Miles Briggs lodged a member's bill in June in a bid to change the law to extend free personal care to dementia patients aged under 65.

He was joined by Mrs Kopel as he formally launched his bill at Holyrood.