The founder of an East Renfrewshire charity was presented to speak with His Majesty The King at a special anniversary event in Edinburgh.
Their Majesties, The King and The Queen were in attendance at Holyrood on Saturday 28th September and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Scottish Parliament.
East Renfrewshire Good Causes project coordinator, Russell MacMillan was chosen by Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw to be his “local hero” at the milestone event.
All MSP’s were provided with the opportunity to nominate an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the constituency or region that they represent at Holyrood as a “local hero” and to attend the 25th anniversary event.
Since Mr MacMillan established East Renfrewshire Good Causes in May 2007, the charity has been able to raise £2.3 million and to support almost 8,500 people in difficult circumstances.
Examples of the assistance provided by the charity include wet floor shower adaptations for people of pensionable age who are living with a disability, transport costs for cancer patients on low incomes and delivering play equipment for children with additional support needs.
Mr MacMillan experienced serious ill-health in 2007 and he was required to undergo a pancreas and kidney transplant.
He started East Renfrewshire Good Causes in memory of the organ donor who saved his life.
Founder and Project Coordinator of East Renfrewshire Good Causes, Russell MacMillan said:
“It was an incredible honour for me to attend the 25th anniversary celebration of the Scottish Parliament and to shake the hand of The King.
“The key focus of East Renfrewshire Good Causes is to offer small acts of kindness to people in need and deliver essential forms of support that individuals who are experiencing challenging circumstances would otherwise struggle to have in place.
“To be able to meet with His Majesty is not a situation I would have thought possible when starting the charity all of those years ago and I am truly humbled to have done so as the nominated local hero for the Eastwood constituency.”
Eastwood MSP, Jackson Carlaw added:
“Russell is an extraordinary individual and when experiencing life-threatening health problems, he did not think of himself but instead how he could use his own adversity to help others.
“Last year, I had Russell through at Holyrood after securing parliamentary debating time to commend his work to MSP’s and it was fantastic to invite him back as my local hero to meet with The King.”
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