I ASSURE you my column this week will be an election free zone as I know you have enough literature to read on that important issue.

Thought instead I would focus on our local groups of volunteers who continue to build the reputation of Helensburgh as a great place to live and be supported as they work tirelessly for others.

This week Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs are organising John Muir events to celebrate the fact that the John Muir Way begins in Helensburgh.

Join them on Friday night at the Tower for their Film Festival and on Saturday morning in Hermitage Park for the Hanami celebrations and tree planting.

The John Muir Way and the Three Lochs Way have put Helensburgh on the walking map for so many people from across the world who now bring their spend to Helensburgh, thanks to an army of volunteers who created and continue to maintain these paths.

Last Saturday I was invited to the Helensburgh and Lomond Autism/Aspergers Society Dinner Dance.

A fantastic evening as friends joined together in support of such a good cause and raised much needed funds.

The struggle to deal with family challenges and difficulties is there every day, but volunteers step up all the time to arrange happy, social events and the evening had that collective feel to it just like so many events I attend in town where there is a great atmosphere of camaraderie.

Well done to all of you.

I also attended the gathering at the Vale of Leven Hospital to show my support for the staff of the hospital and their primary care colleagues who are always there for us when we need them.

At the Vale we receive compassionate and caring treatment from the staff and that message was reinforced by the community on Saturday.

I have written to the hospital to tell them how much I appreciate their efforts.

Perhaps many of you would do the same just now – it would be a very welcome piece of literature to combat some of which is circulating on a topic I said I would not mention.

Please, just take a minute to write.

The staff would enjoy that – we all like kind words.