ARDGOWAN Hospice's coffers are 'shipshape' thanks to a generous donation from workers at Ferguson Marine.

Staff at the Port Glasgow shipyard have raised £2,500 for the hospice after giving up money from their own wages.

Paul Maxwell, who is the marketing and communications assistant at the hospice, said they can't thank the team enough.

He said: "I think it's a fantastic amount of money they have donated.

"We are so grateful.

"It's important for the hospice to raise funds to help people.

"I think it will also encourage other businesses to support the hospice."

The money was raised through the yard's long-running welfare fund which sees a small amount taken off their wages each month towards good causes.

The workers have continued to operate the fund despite all the uncertainty they have faced over their jobs this year.

Lawrence Gemmell, who works as a caulker/burner at the yard, says they are proud to support such an important local cause.

He said: "We manage to give two cheques a year to the hospice.

"The money comes out of our welfare fund, which gets paid out of our wages.

"Most people in here will have some sort of connection to the hospice, whether it's through family or friends.

"It's a great local charity."

The staff at Ferguson's have now been supporting the hospice for over 20 years.

Lawrence added: "We have taken part in various charity challenges such as sponsored cycles, runs and raffles and for the last five years we have been doing it through our wages."

Lawrence, alongside colleagues David Hendry, Joe McDiarmid and Sandy Munro, presented a cheque on behalf of the workforce accepted by hospice fundraising officer Elaine McNeill and Paul Maxwell, Ardgowan's marketing and communications assistant.