Our latest Archive Hour story takes us back 15 years to a report on the Helensburgh branch of the Red Cross – who raised almost £10,000 in 2003 for the charity's work at home and around the world.

Here's how we reported the group's activities in the Advertiser on February 12, 2004...

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A WEEKLY event in Helensburgh raised an amazing £9,500 in 2003 for a worldwide charity which also funds services in the local area.

The British Red Cross runs a library sale on Wednesday afternoons and volunteers Brenda Miller, Kate Moos and Margaret Gilbert are thrilled to have made such a large contribution to the charity’s coffers.

The trio said they wanted to thank everyone for their support.

Brenda said: “We receive such generous donations. Each Wednesday, we are busy with customers looking for bargains.

“People comment on the great selection of books and gifts we have and on the more unusual items we sell - we definitely have something for everyone.”

The weekly sales will be taking place throughout 2004 and Brenda, Kate and Margaret are already on target to beat last year’s record takings.

They have also begun planning for their first Saturday sale of the year and this will take place on March 13.

The library sales were started more than 40 years ago by Rosemary Flatman to raise money for the Burgh branch.

Originally she sold second hand books from a stall on Helensburgh pier and then from the previous Red Cross offices at Colquhoun Square.

Nowadays the fund-raisers are held at the Red Cross Centre at 116 East Princes Street.

Every Wednesday afternoon the centre opens its doors to the public who are invited to browse through the shelves of donated books and bric-a-brac.