INVERCLYDE’S determined attitude to succeed is exemplified by two feisty groups who have received thoroughly justified national recognition.

Inverclyde Elderly Forum and Port Glasgow Victoria Amateur Boxing Club have both received the 2015 Queen’s Awards for Voluntary Service.

Forum chairwoman Nell McFadden became an MBE in 2002 for her work with the charity and promoting the elderly, and was awarded the honour by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

The Gourock gran is recognised widely as a real battler for the rights of older people, and three years ago was given a front row seat when the Queen visited Greenock to open the new Inverclyde Council contact centre.

Victoria started as an athletic club and then moved on to boxing and football.

In recent years they have flitted from their crumbling old premises in Balfour Street to the Glen Rangers, where dozens of members and supporters knocked their pan in to spruce up the building.

It’s a great venue for youngsters to learn a sport that demands all-round fitness and sharp reflexes, and, as Commonwealth Games boxing gold medallist, Charlie ‘The Mailman Delivers’ Flynn, has pointed out wisely, encourages them to look after themselves and not eat and drink a load of rubbish.

So congratulations to the Forum and the boxing club on maintaining their fighting spirit.

Personally, I don’t think many of us would win a debate with Nell or, indeed, a bout with any of the boxers from the Victoria!