Councillor Column: Volunteers at the heart of our community

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I had the privilege of attending the Garelochhead Station Trust’s D-Day Remembrance event on June 6, where I met veterans and many other members of the local community.

It was fantastic to see so many young people there, not only to learn about what happened 75 years ago but to actually meet our veterans, who gave so much.

Backed by the Scottish Government’s Aspiring Communities Fund, the Trust offers a valuable service not just for our veterans but also anyone in the community experiencing loneliness, isolation, stress, and mental health issues.

It runs a Brunch Club on alternating Tuesdays, between 11am-1pm. For further information contact Morevain Martin on morevain@ksrht.org, or telephone 07541 777559.

I also attended the Helensburgh Dementia Resource Centre open day on June 5.

The centre provides an excellent service and I was enormously impressed with Victoria Macleod and her team of volunteers: Tony Hamill (Football Memories); Susan Russel (Dementia Dog project); Anne Marie King (dementia adviser); Lindsay Voight (post-diagnostic worker); Lisa Marie Lees and Clare Stockwood (communities activities organisers) – just a few of the marvellous staff with whom I had long and informative chats.

The Centre also provides help for families of dementia sufferers and anyone who is isolated or lonely. If you, or someone you know, needs help or advice the centre can be contacted on 01436 642196 or at aking@alzscot.org.

My son and I volunteered for the Arrochar beach clean on May 26 with more than 20 other volunteers. Our beach has just had a major clean with heavy machinery provided by Marine Scotland who made a tremendous job of removing tons of rubbish.

The challenge now is to continue that great effort, but with the dedication and enthusiasm of local people like Cristina Sanchez-Navarro and her team, organisations like Marine Scotland, Marine Conservation, and the Scottish Government, we’ll be sure to keep up the good work.

I attended a memorial gathering on Saturday, June 8 to celebrate the life of Arrochar primary school teacher Elaine Connor which was attended by so many of her former pupils, colleagues, family and friends.

She was a tremendous, spirited person, who left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege to meet her. She will be missed by so many but leaves beautiful memories in the minds and hearts of both pupils friends and colleagues.

I would also like to pay tribute to my colleague on the ACHA board, Danny Kelly, who sadly passed away recently.

Danny was a popular, decent man, whose family and community meant so much to him. I liked him immensely, and he was very helpful to me when I first became a councillor. I, like so many, will miss his friendly manner and smile.