The mum of a young woman who died after an asthma attack at work will have her campaign debated at Westminster.
Lauren Reid died in February last year after a flare-up at the bar where she worked led to a cardiac arrest.
The 19-year-old from Dennistoun was kept on life support for four days before Elaine, 45, had to make the shattering decision to turn the machines off.
After hearing of Lauren’s case, the union Unichef launched a bid to urge the UK Government to allow non-prescribed storage of
Salbutamol in commercial kitchens, where conditions can spark attacks.
Elaine’s tireless promotion of the petition saw it being discussed as far afield as Australia and last night she was celebrating it hitting the target of 100,000 signatures.
Elaine said: “I don’t know where I got the fight to do this. But I’ve done it and I’m so proud.
“I believe my wee girl’s name is going to help save lives all over the world.
"I think I’m going to feel lost after this but we will be there to support the petition in Parliament and will have a big celebration.
"Anything connected to Lauren and what she loved, like football, Lewis Capaldi, I’ve just grabbed the opportunity to speak to fans online and tell them about her.
“It’s been hard work but it’s been like my counselling, in a way. I’ve felt her with me all the time. I wanted her name to be known and now it is by people all over the world. I can’t thank those 100,000 people who supported us enough.”
In 2014 an amendment was made to the Human Medicines Act allowing schools to hold spare emergency inhalers.
In Scotland, Asthma UK has worked with the Scottish Government on reviewing its guidance for schools on managing medicines.
Brian McElderry, executive director of Unichef, said: “The success of the petition is strategic as we now must show to the licensing authority, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, that there is a real need to have the amendment put in place.
"We know how vitally important this is and, with the incredible support of Asthma UK, we believe Unichef can set out the case for the amendment."
Once petitions reach 10,000 signatures on the UK Government website, they receive a response.
At 10,000, on August 25, the Department of Health and Social Care said it was “extremely saddened” to hear about Lauren.
It added: “Asthma inhalers are a mainstay of treatment and access to prescribed inhalers can save lives. The Licensing Authority can consider evidence to support a specific exemption to supply controls.”
The petition is available to sign here.
