LAST Monday, I donated blood at Greenock Town Hall.

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) aims to have six days of supply for all eight blood groups in order to meet the requirements of patients across Scotland. 

There are 126,471 active blood donors in Scotland, who have all given blood within the last year. That’s less than four per cent of the eligible population of people aged 17-70. Over the festive period donations tend to drop. So I would encourage as many people as possible to give blood!

On Saturday, I took part in The Walk of Champions Firewalk in support of Reach for Autism. 

Walking over hot coals which can reach temperatures in excess of 1000°F was very daunting, but totally worth it to raise money for this great local organisation. Thanks to everyone who sponsored me.

On Tuesday night I convened the Cross Party Group (CPG) on Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism and on Wednesday I attended the CPG on Tourism.

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Fiona Hyslop MSP attended on Tuesday and Mike Russell MSP Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland’s Place in Europe attended Wednesday’s meeting.  Brexit was discussed at both meetings and the effect it could have on tourism.

In Inverclyde, we have welcomed over 200,000 people in the last two years and the numbers will continue to grow.

The majority of them come from Europe. After Brexit, will they need to apply for a visa and the extra costs that entails?