FUNDRAISING film nights organised by a musician and her friends have raised almost £2,500 for charity - and they're also helping an iconic venue make waves out of season.

Drummer Lesley McLaren started running movie evenings at the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club back in 2018.

The nights run from January to April and again from October to December, at times when the season is finished and people aren't able to get out on the water.

Proceeds from the nights go to local charities and organisations, with Branchton Community Centre, RIG Arts, Mind Mosaic, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the boat club itself benefitting over the years.

Lesley said: "I'm a member of the club and back when I joined, I started thinking about what we could do to make use of the fantastic facilities when there was a bit of downtime in the year.

"I wanted to get people socialising there more.

"The first night was at Christmas time back in 2018 where we watched Planes, Trains and Automobiles and it was a great success.

"It's just grown and grown and we're proud to have raised so much money for local groups.

"We're making use of an amazing local facility and supporting the wider community at the same time."

The most recent event was a screening of David Bowie film Moonage Daydream and the latest movie night is planned will be held over the next few weeks.

Some of the nights feature a disco with tunes provided by DJ Kenny Marshall and local businesses like Wildfire Deli and The Whisky Room get involved and donate raffle prizes.

Back in 2019, money raised from the nights helped pay for a defibrillator to be installed at the boat club.

Branchton Community Centre has benefitted from two movie nights so far, and has received a kind donation of £919 from the events.

Lee Trotter, Branchton's mental health and wellbeing co-ordinator, said: "The money will be used for Easter family fun days in the holidays.

"It's an amazing amount of money and will make a real difference to local families."

Rose Sloan, vice president of the RWSABC, said: "The nights bring people into the club at times where it would normally be a bit quieter and allow us to make use of the facilities.

"Everyone really enjoys them and they're great for the club and for people in communities all over Inverclyde.

"We're always happy to support local organisations."

PLAIN SAILING Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club vice president Rose Sloan, Branchton mental health and wellbeing co-ordinator Lee Trotter, and musician and fundraiser Lesley McLaren.