Your views
Dear Editor, I was pleased to read your article on Matt McGinn, a Calton man who, like my father, made his home in the Royal Burgh.
In the ‘70s, Matt was at a couple of parties in our house when we lived in Ardmaleish Crescent, where he greatly entertained all present with his songs and humour.
Also in the ‘70s, when they opened the Castlemilk Advice Centre, I had the honour of being the chairman of the joint committees of the Law Centre and Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). Though they are separate entities now, they’re still doing excellent work for our community.
I was also chairman of the CAB and Janette McGinn was its organiser - a good friend with whom I worked closely.
Matt was an outstanding songwriter, writing for adults, working people who were politically aware, children and humanity in general.
Of all the excellent songs Matt wrote, two in particular stand out for me.
The song, ‘Janetta,’ is a song of love for his wife, Janette, which he put to the tune of an old Irish air.
The other was ‘The Ibrox Disaster’ about the tragic loss of life of 66 supporters on New Year’s Day at a Rangers-Celtic match.
The proceeds from the sales of the record went towards the Lord Provost’s Disaster Fund, set up at the time.
Matt’s purpose and hope was that the tragedy would heal the divisions of the sectarian issue. Robert Brennan Machrie Road Castlemilk
Dear Editor,
Thank you so much for all the support that your readers are giving by sending as many stamps as they can for Bone Cancer Research Trust.
In 2018 we raised £12,775 and in 2019 we are aiming for £25,000! Please ask everyone you know to support our appeal. Every stamp, collection, first day covers and so on sent to us will help raise vital funds.
If your’re on Facebook, join our group for regular updates – BCRT stamp appeal volunteers and collectors.
My new year’s resolution is to get a supporter in every country in the world, Can you help with that challenge?
Every 10 minutes somewhere a child, teenager or adult is diagnosed with primary bone cancer.
Each year since the charity started, we have endeavoured to grow our research to save lives.
Over the last three years, we have encouraged more researchers to explore primary bone cancer and have funded more research projects than ever before in our history - but critically, our income has fallen. We need your support now.
Stamps can be sent directly to me or if trimmed up to 1cm of paper around the stamp and sorted into UK, predecimal or overseas, the stamps can be sent directly to our buyer at BCRT, PO Box 6198, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9XT, where we raise 25 per cent more. Please send horizon labels to me.
Thank you for your time and much needed support... until there is a cure.
Terri Volunteer Stamp Appeal Coordinator Bone Cancer Research Trust 20 Bowers Road Benfleet Essex Dear Editor
Last month’s vandalism at the Bomber Command Memorial highlighted the very worst and the very best of our communities.
I cannot thank your readers enough for their incredible support in the wake of this shocking paint attack.
To date we have received more than £25,000 in donations to help the RAF Benevolent Fund meet the repair bill.
Repair works have now been completed on the Memorial and it is now returned to its former glory.
As well as the donations received, the RAF Benevolent Fund had thousands of messages of support from around the world.
It was heart-warming to see how well the Memorial, the veterans and the 55,573 men it stands to represent are thought of.
We must never forget their sacrifices and the RAF Benevolent Fund is proud to be the guardian of this tribute to their legacy, for generations to come.
As the Fund enters its 100th year of support for the RAF Family, we must not forget those veterans who are still with us.
Our aim this year is to ask for the public’s help in reaching more of these veterans and their families, while we still can.
Our support could help pay for the care costs of an RAF widow, or provide for mobility aids to keep an elderly veteran at home, or simply allow a veteran to enjoy his retirement in dignity and comfort, through a regular financial grant.
Put simply, the RAF Benevolent Fund looks after the RAF Family.
If you know someone in need of support, contact our free support line 0800 169 2942 or email mail@rafbf.org. uk Air Vice-Marshal David Murray Chief Executive, RAF Benevolent Fund, 67 Portland Place, London