A DEDICATED Greenock fundraiser has used a social media platform to generate more than £50,000 for local good causes in just three years. 

James Crawford has realised the astonishing total by running generator draws, raffles and football card competition on his personal Facebook page.

And with help from the public - who rally in their hundreds to take part - and businesses donating prizes, 34-year-old supermarket worker James has been able to share £50,391 across 40 charities and community groups.

He told the Tele how he first caught the fundraising bug as a 12-year-old boy and sold his old toys outside his house to help Ardgowan Hospice.

The big-hearted Greenock man says that experience propelled him forward into a life of fundraising which is helping people in communities all over Inverclyde. 

Greenock Telegraph:
James said helping people has always been a 'natural' thing for him to do. 

He said: "My friends and I just decided to sell our old toys outside our houses in the summer holidays in 2002 and 2003. 

"It was a really nice feeling knowing that I was helping people and it's all just built up from there."

Greenock Telegraph:
James tries to donate money to charity through the page every month, depending on how many people have been engaging with the competitions. 

He says around 200 people take part in every generator draw, with another 200 to 400 people getting involved in the football card games and raffles. 

He said having an amazing amount of support from members of the public and from local business who donate prizes has helped make the page a great success. 

Greenock Telegraph:
James added: "I started the page just as a bit of fun to see how many people would be up for getting involved. 

"I've been completely overwhelmed by the amount of people who have bought into it.

"I couldn't give all of this money to charity without the support I get.

"It says a lot for people that they're still willing to donate and get involved even when we're all going through tough times."

Some of the organisations James has supported include Compassionate Inverclyde, Inverclyde Foodbank, Mind Mosaic Child & Family Therapies, Belville Community Gardens, Underheugh Ark, and Jayden's Rainbow. 

Greenock Telegraph:
In the run-up to Christmas every year, James tries to donate either money or gifts to between ten and 15 organisations. 

He says he usually makes approaches to find out what they need, but sometimes they come to him. 

James added: "I want to do as much as I can to help people of all ages. 

"I always get great feedback from people about how the donations help."

Greenock Telegraph:
Over the years, James has organised summer fun days, charity nights and quiz nights, and he plans to keep on with his fundraising for many years to come. 

He said: "It's just a really nice feeling knowing that I'm helping people. 

"I want to say a massive thank-you to everyone who supports what I am doing."