AN INVERCLYDE stalwart has been recognised for his contribution to the community - receiving a citizenship award.

Jimmy Crawford, 81, former chairperson of Lyle Gateway, was presented with the honour by the Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West and he also received £1,000 for the cause.

The late Ian Halliday, former chairperson, Alan Blair and Wilson Evans came up with the idea and Jimmy helped to get the enterprise up and running.

(Image: Public)

Jimmy, of Caddliehill Street, said: "I was surprised and pleased to receive the award.

"I feel quite proud to have been recognised, you don't do things to get thanks but it is nice to get a thank you now and again."

Jimmy served his apprenticeship at Scott's engineering and remained there until it closed in the 1990s.

He then started his own company Comet Technical Support Ltd and won Ministry of Defence contracts and other work from all over the UK and abroad, helped by his son Graeme.

Jimmy has always been active in his community, he is an elder and property convenor at Lyle Kirk and served in the 1st Greenock Company Boys’ Brigade for many years.

Lyle Gateway has grown from a small gathering twice a week to an important asset to Greenock with an average of 120 people dropping in over their two core opening days each week.

Jimmy said: "Lyle Gateway is far more than just a café - everyone who crosses the threshold remarks on the sense of community there.

"We pride ourselves on the commitment and efforts of the volunteers and regular attenders, who always ensure that everyone who walks through the doors are always welcome and made to feel a part of the community from the very first visit.

"From chair exercises and table tennis to photography walks and art groups, and the community garden, there is something for everyone.

"Some people choose to play Scrabble or card games for fun, with many simply choosing to eat lunch together, meet new people and have a blether."

Lyle Gateway has also made many partnerships over the years, including Inverclyde Faith in Throughcare and Your Voice.

As well as this, Jimmy and a hardworking team of volunteers provide Christmas dinner free of charge for about 30 individuals who are alone and without friends or family.

Jimmy said: "I am very proud of Gateway. We always give selection boxes out to the kids at Ardgowan Primary and we were looking for a new cause to help, and someone suggested Craigmarloch School.

"Two weeks before last Christmas, I went up and spoke to the deputy head teacher and I said that we could give them a donation for a wee Christmas party, and she said the teachers had had a meeting and the weren't going to have a party because they couldn't afford it, and I replied, 'Would £500 help?

"She was speechless, that day will always stay with me. She showed me round the school. What a team. Seeing the kids faces made it all worthwhile. It was the icing on the cake."

As well as his involvement in Gateway, Jimmy has also been a volunteer at the at Royal Inverclyde Hospital, spending every Monday and Friday serving teas and coffees to many patients undergoing chemotherapy.

He said: "It is extremely rewarding and makes you very thankful for the nurses who are working tirelessly helping others."

Jimmy was also responsible for the retiring offering uplifted at the Provincial Grand Lodge Memorial Service in Lyle Kirk on 29th January 2023, which was used to provide two memorial benches outside the church in Union Street so that all members of the community can sit and reflect on those loved ones who perished during the Covid pandemic.