The Clydesdale Befriending Group for Adults with Learning Disabilities is the rather lengthy title for an organisation with a simple aim.

It finds and then gains the trust of scores of people whose social and educational difficulties can lead to them becoming practically hermits within our towns and villages.

They are then given a volunteer 'friend' who eases them back into the mainstream of society.

This can be done through the simplest of ways, such as going on trips to the shops and cinema together or even having a friendly chat over a cuppa or a pint.

Essentially, the group is re-introducing the formerly isolated person to the everyday life most of us enjoy in Clydesdale without even thinking about it.

Now in its third year, the group used an Information Day event at the Tolbooth to officially launch a petition to the Scottish Government seeking continuing funding to keep their good work going.

And Clydesdale MSP Karen Gillon was there to show her support.

Currently, the group is surviving on one-off grants and donations from many and varied sources but none of these are a guranteed, permanent funder.

Hopefully the petition will persuade the government that its work is so valuable to the community that it is worthy of becoming a permanent service to the vulnerable and lonely of our area.

There was a tremendous morale boost for the Group with its recent selection to become the very first Scottish community group to take part in the Gateway Awards.

This is a Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme-related initiative which rewards and recognises users' achievements and progress with Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards.