DONATIONS are being sought for an award-winning Greenock-based charity that cares for people who are dying or dealing with serious illness.

Martin McCluskey, Labour's general election candidate locally, made the plea for items such as food and blankets on behalf of Compassionate Inverclyde.

The charity was set up two years ago and is run by Ardgowan Hospice and the district's health and social care partnership (HSCP) to help those experiencing a crisis, loss or who are at the end of their lives.

Mr McCluskey met with some of the volunteers who are involved with the organisation on a visit to their base at Inverclyde Royal.

He said: "It was great to visit Compassionate Inverclyde at the hospital and learn about the work they do. "Compassionate Inverclyde really sums up the generosity and kindness of people in our area. "The people who volunteer there do an amazing job.

"The 'back home' boxes equip people who are leaving hospital with some of the essentials for the first couple of days and their 'no one dies alone' programme makes sure that people in their last hours have someone by their side.

"Compassionate Inverclyde shows our area at its best, and I would encourage anyone who can to make a donation of goods for the back home boxes, or to volunteer their time."

Items required for the back home boxes include, long life milk, sugar, teabags, coffee, Cup-a-Soups, biscuits, tinned tuna, crackers and knitted blankets.

They can be handed into the hospital and the Ardgowan Hospice Access building on Nelson Street.