A FAMILY has come together to raise funds for charity after their dad was diagnosed with a life-limiting lung disease.

George Butler, 72, has been fighting Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for the last seven years and recently he entered the final stage four of the condition.

The grandad-of-seven, from Summerston, even quit smoking to improve his health once he was diagnosed with the illness, which makes a person’s breathing increasingly more difficult.

But the condition has taken its hold on the popular North Glasgow man, and with frequent trips to the hospital for chest infections, his family have now joined forces to raise money for the British Lung Foundation.

Daughters Kelly Butler, 39, from Yoker, and Catherine Butler, 35, from Maryhill will be joined by 25 members of the family and together the group will walk Conic Hill in Balmaha on Sunday for the charity.

Kelly, who is also known in the community as dance teacher of Future Stars, said: “When my dad was first diagnosed, the doctors told him if he didn’t give up smoking, he wouldn’t see another year.

“He gave up the cigarettes and it has bought him some time. He wouldn’t be here today if he continued to smoke.”

She added: “His life, however, has changed. He is confined to his chair and depends on oxygen 24/7. He is in and out of hospital constantly with chest infections. He has also went from a guy who used to be in the pub every Friday and Saturday to someone who just sits and watches the TV.”

George, who is also dad to Linsey, 32, was a regular in The Kelvin Dock before his conditioned worsened.

His daughter Kelly explained several members of the family have already died from the condition and as a result they wanted to do something more to help a charity who supports those suffering from COPD.

She said: “We decided we wanted to give something back because it has effected the whole family.

“My dad is in the final stage of COPD and he is putting in a good fight but he is a totally changed man.”

She added: "The whole family is so excited to take part in the walk and it has all brought us together. We are having a get together in The Ledgowan Tennants Hall in Maryhill afterwards to give my dad a chance to see everyone he has not seen in a while.

"We will also have a raffle to raise funds and businesses in the community have been brilliant to us as they have given us so many prizes."

The fundraising group, who are aged from 12 to 61, are still collecting donations for the charity. They have already raised more than £1,400 for the British Lung Foundation.

You can still donate to the cause by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Kellybutler78