A Scots chef's dying words were "mum, I'm panicking" before she suffered a fatal asthma attack.
Lauren Reid was just 19 when she died while on shift at Gin71 in Glasgow's Merchant City. Glasgow Live reports that she had called her mum, Elaine Cunningham, asking her to bring her inhaler into work before she took ill.
But when Elaine, 47, got there, she was horrified to see an ambulance parked outside and was told her daughter had gone into cardiac arrest. Despite the best efforts of medics Lauren, from Dennistoun, could not be saved and died at Glasgow Royal Infirmary on February 11 2020.
Recalling the last words she heard from her child, mum-of-two Elaine said: "Someone called from her phone and I heard her shouting in the background 'mum, I'm panicking' and the phone got hung up on me. It's horrible to think those were her last moments and there was nothing I could do for her.
"Her heart had stopped for 35 minutes outside of work and her organs had all closed down by the time the ambulance arrived. The doctor came in and said 'I'm sorry but your daughter's asthma attack has been fatal'.
"I asked: 'what do you mean?' He looked at me with that pity look and I said 'go in and fix my daughter, never mind sitting here talking to me'. My life ended then."
Passionate chef Lauren had completed an apprenticeship so she could pursue her culinary ambitions. The Rangers fan was remembered by fans who held a minute's applause for her at Ibrox at a fixture days after her death.
Since her daughter's untimely passing, Elaine has campaigned for Lauren's Law – legislation to introduce Salbutamol inhalers to work first aid kids to prevent similar tragedies from occurring. The devices are normally only available on prescription.
She also wants to found Lauren's Lodge – a respite space for people who have suffered asthma attacks to recover in once they are discharged from hospital. A fundraiser to support its inception has a target of £30,000.
Elaine added: "She loved being out having a laugh with her pals and taking the dogs to Glasgow Green. She was never in trouble and was a good girl.
"She gave and gave to everyone and never expected anything back. She was genuinely my best friend in the world.
"Words can't explain how much I miss her and the hurt I feel inside. I've got a memory bench for her in the back door which I sit on with my dogs.
"Going from a house full constantly with the music on and friends in and out to just silence is the hard part. I'm hoping for it (Lauren's Lodge) to be a caravan to start with for people coming out of hospital after they've had an asthma attack or families who have gone through the same as myself.
"They can go and get a bit of respite. I know how hard and difficult it was coming out of hospital and having to go back into running that family.
"You don't sleep and eat, it's tiresome. I just wanted to help people."
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