A mum left heartbroken by her son's death abroad spoke of her joy yesterday - as her 13 year campaign for more government support paid off. Julie Love, 53, was hailed by the Scottish Government as one of the driving forces behind the scheme to provide funding to Victim Support Scotland.
She began campaigning after her son Colin, 23, drowned in an accident off the coast of Venezuela in 2009. Julie set up charity Death Abroad - You're Not Alone (DAYNA) and encouraged anyone who had experienced a death abroad to share their experiences with the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, set up to look at the assistance provided to bereaved families.
And yesterday it emerged cash will be used for Victim Support Scotland's specialist service which offers financial and emotional support to families in Scotland who are affected by an overseas murder or killing. The new funding comes after feedback from a UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Death Abroad Consular Services and Assistance, and will help families with the costs of translation services and bringing their loved ones home.
