LAST Thursday was St Andrew’s Day – and the start of Kiltmas in aid of Ardgowan Hospice.

Their chief executive, Graham Gardiner, and I will be wearing kilts for 12 days straight (taking us up to 11 December) to raise money for the local hospice, in what is proving to be a rather chilly affair given the recent frosty weather we’ve had!

If you’d like to join in by wearing your kilt or by donning another piece of tartan, even for a day or two, we’d welcome the support. We’d also be extremely grateful for any donations people are able to give. You can do so on Just Giving at www.justgiving.com/page/ardgowan-hospice-1699866952881. Thank you.

Whilst donning my kilt attire, on Friday I attended Port Glasgow train station to see the improvement access works that have now been completed. These changes will make our railway network more accessible and ensure that more people are able to benefit from public transport.

After this event, I went along to Port Glasgow Tesco for my shift collecting for Inverclyde Foodbank. I always try to take part in their Winter Food Collections as I know how challenging the situation is for foodbanks during the winter months; even more so now as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

Sadly, Inverclyde Foodbank is not unique in seeing demand go up while donations go down – but even the smallest donation makes a big different, so if you’re able to donate items or funds, they will go a long way to helping ensure no one in our community goes hungry this Christmas.