A COMMUNITY stalwart from Port Glasgow who saved her son's life after he became hooked on heroin has passed away.

Bridie Ainslie, from Broadfield Avenue, was a devoted mother, community campaigner and friend to many.

The 67-year-old passed away in Ardgowan Hospice on December 30 after a courageous battle against lung cancer which had spread to her brain.

Her son Neil says he owes his life to his mum after she helped him through his battle with heroin addiction - which tragically claimed the life of his older brother Jamie at the age of just 24.

Neil said: "If it wasn't for my mum, I would probably be dead now.

"She supported both me and my brother.

"She was salt of the earth.

"My mum was one of these wee characters that everybody loved - everybody had a good word to say about her.

"She was a wee bundle of joyous energy - she was one in a million."

Back in 2013, Bridie bravely spoke to the Tele out about the devastating trauma of the death of her son Jamie, as well as her pride at watching Neil rebuild his life.

She was keen to help other families affected by addiction by raising awareness of the amazing support Neil received at Jericho House rehab centre in Greenock, especially from senior project worker Margaret Diamond.

Neil added: "My mum volunteered at the Riverview Resource Centre, and the guys from Jericho House used to go there for computer classes.

"She spoke to the management at Jericho and told them I needed help, so my mum was the first step in my whole recovery process."

As well as being devoted to her sons, Bridie also gave up her time to help out in her beloved community.

She volunteered at Port Glasgow Voluntary Transport Group and at Riverview.

Neil said: "My mum was big on her community and her local area.

"She fought for years to keep the Riverview centre open for the community."

Neil said his mum deeply loved her home town.

He said: "I used to say to her, get your passport and just get on a plane to the Canary Islands for a holiday.

"But she would say, 'why when I have got this on my doorstep?'.

"She had no interest in going anywhere else.

"She loved Scotland and she loved her community."

Bridie spent the last month of her life being cared for by the staff at Ardgowan Hospice.

Neil said: "At first she was scared to go in but when she got there the staff were an amazing support to her with the love and care they showed.

"I can't sing their praises enough."

As a thank-you to the hospice, Neil and his family decided to donate Bridie's furniture to the hospice shops.

Neil added: "It made sense because people will benefit and the money raised goes to the hospice.

"We wanted to give something back to the hospice for the next person who might be going through this."

A collection at Bridie's funeral also raised over £830 for the charity.

Neil added: "The crematorium was packed, my mum got a massive turnout."

Neil, who now manages Jericho's sister project in Derby, said his mum's memory will live on forever.

He said: "I have got lots of clippings she kept in a wee book of all the times she was in the Tele.

"She kept all that stuff.

"My mum was the strongest woman I have known - a rock to me my whole life."