A Largs woman is hoping to improve awareness of pulmonary fibrosis with a heartfelt tribute to her late GP husband who died from the disease.

Andy Auld passed away, aged 72, in December 2023.

His wife Eileen is now leading the way with a support group raising awareness of the condition and encouraging people to get checked out if they have certain symptoms.

September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Month, and Eileen hopes to raise awareness of the condition which, if diagnosed late, can reduce life expectancy, adversely affecting quality of life and increasing chances of hospitalisation.

Andy was a GP at the former Aitken Street practice in Largs, which moved to Brooksby in 2009.

Andy AulAndy Auld  (Image: Newsquest)

Eileen, who cared for her husband throughout his illness, is now the secretary of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Group.

She is also a physiotherapist who used to run Well Connected in Largs.

Eileen said: "Because of my previous career path, I was able to help my husband with his condition and he did so well because he was an athlete with his tennis and his golf.

"It is a terminal condition and they say two to five years, but I am sure he had it before he was diagnosed.

"Andy was even doing yoga classes with me over the past few years. He was a very kind and gentle soul.

"It can start with a cough, which can of course be so many things, including cancer, which was what I was originally concerned about when it first developed.

"There was a breathlessness too> He noticed it as he always kept in good health, because he had been a fabulous rugby player, and was an Ayrshire champion for tennis when he was very young."

Andy was involved at Largs Tennis Club as secretary for many years, and then as president, and helped out on the committee at Largs Golf Club.

Eileen is now hoping to attract new members from across Ayrshire to join her group.

(Image: Newsquest)

She said: "We have around 30-40 members in Ayrshire but we want to let people know that we are here and ready to welcome more if anyone would like to join.

"Our steering group is quite proactive, but ne of the things we don't have is an ILD (interstitial lung disease) nurse, which is a big thing.

"It would make a big difference. People get this diagnosed, they are referred once, and then there is no follow-up and no pathway.

"We are here to support everybody and we want to move forwards and raise funds for a nurse."

During September, the Ayrshire group are supporting a national awareness-raising campaign by the charity Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis.

It will help people spot early signs of the disease so that they can be diagnosed speedily and get access to vital drugs and therapies to help them live better and longer lives.

Currently around 5,000 people die every year in the UK from the disease.

Eileen added:  “Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating diagnosis, yet people are left feeling isolated and in fear.

"We want more people to know about this lung disease that’s on the rise and that our support group is here to offer vital support for anyone affected.

"The sooner you go and get checked out by a doctor the better. 

"We've found Ayrshire has quite a high incidence of this, so it is important to go to the doctor and get checked out if you have any of the above symptoms.

"Andy knew what it was going to be like from being a GP. It was never 'why me', it was 'do the best you can while you can', and was always positive.

Monthly meetings of the group are held in Kilwinning Community Sports Club on the third Thursday of every month from 1.15– 3-15pm, patients and carers both welcome

 The next meeting is this Thursday, September 19.