Proud history of your campaigning newspaper

THE Evening Times has a long and proud campaigning history.

Just this week, we were recognised for pressuring Scotland’s politicians into making a legislative change which is expected to save dozens more lives every year.

Last year, the Scottish Government agreed to switch to an opt-out transplant system, following a five-year campaign, led by health reporter Caroline Wilson, which was praised by the SNP MSPs who enacted the change.

The government has pledged to take forward legislation by June and Opt for Life has been shortlisted for Campaign of the Year at this year’s Scottish Press Awards.

In May, last year, we launched a drive to help shed some light on a condition that is predicted to affect one in three of us in future decades.

Our campaign for a Dementia Friendly Glasgow not only raised awareness about the problems families experience in the face of a diagnosis but helped a local charity – Glasgow’s Golden Generation – raise vital funds for a new minibus to transport elderly people affected by the condition to a network of day centres.

Later in the year, efforts by our political correspondent, Stewart Paterson led to a city job centre being saved from the axe, and the Evening Times has in the past tackled unscrupulous factors and hospital closures.

The Evening Times will continue to fight for worthwhile causes and have several hardhitting launches planned for later in the year.