Rangers legends have backed a mum who launched an asthma campaign after the tragic death of her teenage daughter.
Elaine Cunningham’s daughter Lauren Reid died aged just 19 after suffering a severe asthma attack while at work in Glasgow in February 2020. Since losing her “Rangers-mad” daughter, Elaine has tirelessly campaigned for Lauren’s Law Asthma Campaign – calling for emergency salbutamol inhalers to be kept in workplace first aid kits to prevent other families suffering the same devastation.
Now the determined mum, from Dennistoun, has received support from Rangers heroes Scott Arfield and Gordon Smith. The 50-year-old revealed how the touching encounter came about after she visited Scott Arfield’s new 442 bar to watch Rangers take on Hearts on Monday night.
View 5 ImagesGordon Smith backed Elaine’s campaign(Image: supplied)
She said: “Scott Arfield was Lauren’s favourite player and she served him at work numerous times. When he was opening the bar, I was desperate to go.
“I previously met Scott at Ibrox and I told him Lauren’s story. On Monday when I walked into the bar, Scott recognised me straight away from that moment all those years ago.
“He was beaming and was asking how Lauren’s campaign was going and how I was doing. Scott’s reaction meant so much to me, his smile was genuine and he was so lovely.
“When he told me that he would back the campaign, I was overwhelmed with emotion.”
View 5 ImagesLauren was a massive Rangers fan(Image: Supplied)
Elaine also met club legend Gordon Smith during the emotional night, while ex-Ibrox striker Kemar Roofe was also in attendance.
She said: “I’m very bold and you don’t get anywhere without asking. Gordon Smith was there and I told him all about Lauren’s law.
“In his very calm voice, he said, ‘Of course, you can certainly use my name and say that I support your daughter’s campaign. That’s such a shame’.
“It’s very important to get stars to back the campaign to raise awareness. I have no words how honoured I feel to get people like them to do this.”
View 5 ImagesKemar Roofe was in attendance(Image: Supplied)
Arfield and Smith now join a growing list of Gers figures who have endorsed Lauren’s Law, including Alex Rae, Phillipe Clement, Cyriel Dessers and Connor Barron. Elaine explained who her favourite supporter was: “The best of all was captain James Tavernier. We waited on him after one of the games last year.
“If you notice he always keeps his hands behind his back when taking photos with fans. When he came to me, I explained Lauren’s story and our aims so he knew he wasn’t being misled and he said ‘I support Lauren’s Law’.
“I burst into tears and he came back and gave me a cuddle. All of the crowd started clapping.
“Lauren and I have so many lovely memories together with the club. They say that being a Rangers supporter is like being in a big family and I must admit that it is true.”
View 5 ImagesElaine has been campaigning to get inhalers added to first aid kits(Image: Victoria Stewart/Daily Record)
Lauren died after collapsing while on shift at Gin71 in Glasgow’s Merchant City. The passionate young chef had completed an apprenticeship and dreamed of building a career in the culinary world. She was also devoted to Rangers, who held a minute’s applause for her following her death.
Elaine added: “Through the campaign, I get messages all the time from people who say they carry an extra inhaler just in case.
“If one life is saved from sharing Lauren’s story, then it is job done. All these celebrity followers are great, but it’s all about making a difference.”
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