University to award Honorary Degree to Amanda Kopel

Published On Sat 5 Mar 2016 by Grant Hill

Dementia rights campaigner Amanda Kopel, wife of the late Dundee United legend Frank Kopel, is to receive an Honorary Degree from the University of Dundee.

Mrs Kopel will receive the degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) from the University during its Summer Graduation ceremonies in June in recognition of her campaign to obtain free personal care for those with dementia under the age of 65 in Scotland.

She is also heavily involved in raising awareness of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) – a form of younger-onset dementia associated with repeated sport-related head trauma, which her husband may have suffered from as a result of his football career. Mrs Kopel is working with a Glasgow-based research team to further their studies into the links between CTE and brain injuries.

Professor Sir Pete Downes, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee, said, “I am delighted that the University is able to recognise the outstanding efforts of Amanda Kopel in campaigning for free personal care sufferers of dementia. Her selfless work has placed this vital issue at the heart of a national conversation and raised awareness of dementia generally.

“We also acknowledge Amanda’s role in promoting awareness of the dangers of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in sportsmen and women.

“In choosing the best possible role models for our students and staff, we are mindful of excellence and achievement, which Amanda has displayed in abundance. Further, dementia care and awareness are high priorities within our taught programmes in Nursing, so her work has struck a particular chord with many of us at the University. We look forward to presenting Amanda with her honorary degree at our Graduation ceremonies in June.”

Frank Kopel played for several sides throughout his career but is principally associated with Dundee United and was installed in the club’s Hall of Fame in 2011. Sadly he died in 2014 and his last years were blighted with dementia. Mrs Kopel, while also caring for her husband, worked tirelessly to highlight the plight of under-65s who did not qualify for free personal care.

Despite her grief, Mrs Kopel continued to lobby for parity of status for all dementia sufferers, regardless of their age, and the ‘Frank’s Law’ movement has received high-profile backing from football figures and celebrities as well as gathering momentum in the traditional media and social media.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 384768
Mobile: 07854 953277
Email: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk