A DRUMCHAPEL mum has revealed how devastating long-term health conditions can be - following the launch of a new project in the area.

Charity Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland’s “Health Defence Scotland” initiative aims to stop people in Drumchapel dying too soon from poor health.

Based in the Drumchapel Community Hub, the project will provide free health checks, healthy living workshops and ongoing support to local people as they make lifestyle changes to improve their health.

Volunteer Sarah Campbell, who has lived in Drumchapel all her life, has an eight-year-old son Logan, who has suffered from a serious heart condition since birth.

She also lost her mum to a heart attack in 2017.

Read more: Fundraising bid to help Bankie who lost everything in a house fire

Sarah said: “This is the best thing to happen in Drumchapel for quite some time. The project could be really life-changing for people around here and it could help families like mine.

“When I was pregnant with my twins the doctor found a heart murmur but said everything would be fine. My family has a long history of heart and health problems, so I was really worried.

“We later found out my wee boy Logan has multiple holes in his heart which led to swelling and leaking into his lungs. Ever since he was born, it’s gradually worsened and we’ve been back and forth non-stop to the hospital getting operations and seeing doctors.

“When my mum passed away after having heart problems for many years, Logan found it especially hard. He was only six-years-old and not only was he confused about his own illness; he now didn’t know why his precious granny was taken away from him.

Read more: Police deal with more than 800 calls in one week from West Dunbartonshire

“Logan is still struggling with his illness and this impacts on his mental and physical health. He often feels breathless and he suffers from anxiety too.

“We’re now looking at another hospital wait before knowing whether he’ll need further operations, possibly open-heart surgery.

“But despite all this, for the first time in a very long time, we’re feeling positive about the future. Thanks to Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland and all of the help they offer locally, I feel like we’ve got a new lease of life again. We’re ready to take on whatever life throws at us.”

The project was set up in Drumchapel to tackle its serious health inequalities.

Jane-Claire Judson, chief executive at the charity, added: “This new project will help people get free access to the tools they need to live a healthier life in the future – and break the cycle of health inequalities.

“Sadly, too often where you live in Scotland determines how long you live for. People in Drumchapel are dying too soon because of poor health but by working together we can change that.”