Greenock Telegraph archives: Hero policeman saved man's life

PC Aaron McCrone risked his own safety to help pluck the stricken member of the public, who was unconscious and lying face down, from the water off the Esplanade at around 11.40pm.

The 34-year-old probationary officer told the Tele how he quickly realised the seriousness of the situation when he arrived on the scene, and had no hesitation in entering the icy-cold water to drag the man to safety.

Meanwhile, the starting gun was set to be fired on Inverclyde’s Santa Dash.

The race was set to make lots of money for local charities - and children could take part for free.

Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan had the honour of setting the runners on their way and said he was delighted to support Dash founder Tommy ‘The Clown’ Armstrong with his 5k fun run/walk.

The dash featured entrants dressed up in Santa outfits and beards, or other festive costumes, running or walking from the Waterfront to the Esplanade buoy and back.

Elsewhere, a Gourock worker displayed truly ‘Amazonian’ strength when she undertook a charity swim in the Clyde.

Lesley Hendry, who worked as a ‘picker’ at Amazon’s centre, took part in a 1.7 mile swimming challenge from Cumbrae to Largs Sailing Club for ‘Gillian’s Saltire Appeal’.

The charity was set up in memory of Gillian Ward of Largs, who sadly died of cancer in 2005.

The campaign was established by her husband, Les, to honour her memory and make a difference to those with the disease.

Lesley covered the distance in one hour and 22 minutes, raising over £300 for the appeal.

In other news, kind elderly ladies in Port Glasgow were using a bit of wool-power – by knitting to help people with dementia.

Tenants at sheltered housing complex Broadstone Gardens had been busy working away with their needles to pull together 125 twiddle muffs.

Once they had finished knitting all the sensory hand muffs, they then invited staff from local care homes to come and take them away for the residents they look after.

Sheltered housing warden Elaine O’Donnell said at the time: “We had a special celebration tea as a way of recognising the work the five ladies put in.

“It was a great project and everyone at Broadstone was very involved.”

In sport, Mark Russell insisted Morton’s 3-0 victory against Falkirk was a result of the Greenock side’s impressive performance as opposed to the Bairns having an off day.

Falkirk had started the season poorly and had supporters on their backs during a disappointing showing against the Ton.

But left-back Russell was adamant Morton showed enough quality against their opponents both defensively and in attack to be proud of their own display rather than being thankful the opposition had a bad day at the office.