A GRIEVING grandmother, reeling from the sudden death of her 17-year-old grandson, has asked readers of The National for help.
Rutherglen teenager Alan MacDonald Campbell died two weeks ago after suffering a severe asthma attack.
In a heartbreaking letter to The National on Tuesday, Susan Campbell wrote: “There is nothing in the world that prepares you for the death of a young person.
“Until March 7, my worst nightmare was to imagine that one of my children would die before me. The death of a grandchild was beyond all imagining.”
Campbell appealed to readers to donate to a crowdfunder to help raise much-needed money for Asthma UK.
In Scotland, 72,000 children and 296,000 adults suffer from some form of asthma.
According to official statistics, 6209 people in Scotland were admitted to hospital with an asthma attack in in 2017/2018 – of those, 126 died. That’s the second-highest figure in the last 18 years.
At the time of going to print, more than £3500 has been raised for the charity.
Speaking to The National, Campbell said she wrote the letter partly to help the charity raise funds for research, but also to raise awareness of the condition.
Her grandson’s death was, she said, quick and unexpected. And despite the best efforts of his mum and paramedics, he passed away.
“As a family we’re quite determined that we’re going to keep plugging away at this, and whatever fundraising we do it’ll be for Astham UK.
“It’s absolutely totally selfish,” Campbell added. “It’s trying to grasp at something meaningful from something totally without meaning.
“It’s trying to find some kind of of way of coping. That’s all I’m doing. I’m just holding on in there”.
A spokesperson from Asthma UK, said: “This is a really tragic story and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.
“Sadly, in the UK three people die each day from an asthma attack.”
To donate to the crowdfunder, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/susan-campbell30
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