Cancer survivor 'frightened for her health' due to fungus-infected Glasgow flat

Betty Gilmore’s anxiety is “sky high” as she has been battling 'horrifying' damp and mouldy conditions at her Drygate flat for two years.

It comes after her roof fell in her bathroom two years ago and then again this year, and although it was plastered, the root of the dampness has not been repaired.

The 77-year-old lives in social housing and begged the Glasgow Times for help as she claims the water is now coming out of the bathroom light switch while mould spores grow in her bathroom, bedroom, and hall.

Damp and mould inside a home is more likely to cause respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma, according to the NHS.

It can also affect the immune system, which has greatly concerned Betty who has previously had cervical cancer.

Betty said: “I am worried for my life because this is very dangerous.

“I am a pensioner who doesn’t keep well as it is and I have been left sitting here in limbo waiting for help. It isn’t right.

“I am really worried about the dampness the water is causing for health reasons.

“My anxiety is sky high with it, and my toiletries have been moved to my bedroom but they have gone all mouldy and damp as well."

She added: "It isn't the first time this has happened, it has been going on for years.

“There's something wrong somewhere. It isn’t my fault but I have been left to deal with it.

“I can’t see very well and now I need to try and see in the dark.

“It has put me off using my shower or anything.

“It is very frightening for me, it is a serious problem.”

The Scottish Tenants Organisation visited Betty’s home and were stunned by the fungus growing across the flat.

Campaign coordinator Sean Clerkin was appalled by what he saw.

He told the Glasgow Times: “When I saw the fungus I was absolutely horrified. I wouldn't put my worst enemy in those conditions.

“It is absolutely scandalous that in the 21st century an elderly woman has to live with terrible living conditions such as this.

“She is worried out of her mind and continually troubled by it.

“A lady at 77 should be able to live out her life as a senior citizen in comfort and ease of mind.

“Instead, she is worried and depressed and shouldn't have to deal with this, no human being should.

“I am concerned as this just absolutely illustrates the damp conditions a lot of tenants in Scotland live in."

Mr Clerkin said city councillor Allan Casey and Wheatley Homes Glasgow had been contacted in the "hopes there will be a speedy resolution to this".

He added: "They have to target the cause of dampness and fix it.”

Elderly people are more at risk of being ill as they are more sensitive to the allergens, irritants and, sometimes, toxic substances created from mould spores.

Moisture in buildings can be caused by leaking pipes, rising damp in basements or ground floors, or rain seeping in because of damage to the roof or around window frames.

After being contacted by the Glasgow Times and Scottish Tenants Organisation, Wheatley Homes Glasgow paid a visit to Betty's house on Friday.

After seeing the conditions of the home, they strongly urged the pensioner to leave immediately and offered to set up temporary housing.

However Betty, who has lived in the property since 1964, refused the offer.

A Wheatley Homes Glasgow spokesperson said: “We’re very sorry for any delay to these repairs.

"We visited the tenant on Friday, July 1, and have promised to carry out a full inspection on Monday, July 4, to identify any outstanding issues.

“Our repairs team will then arrange a date with the tenant for all of this work to be carried out.

“We also offered the tenant a temporary move until the work is complete, but she declined. We would strongly urge her to reconsider.

“We will continue to keep in touch with the tenant and offer any support we can.”