Change a child’s life I have always admired people who decide to open not only their homes but hearts too by becoming foster parents and helping kids in need at a vulnerable time in their young lives. Fostering provides a safe and loving environment for young people who are unable to live with their families for a variety of reasons and this kind and caring act can transform their lives. New foster parents are always needed and that is why Renfrewshire Council is holding a series of drop-in days for people who want to find out more about fostering and adoption. The Fostering and Adoption team will be on hand to explain what is required to foster and/or adopt and the process involved. There will also be foster carers around to share their own experiences and give a first hand insight into what it’s like to foster a child or young person. Fostering is a lifeline for many young people and the council offers foster carers dedicated support from a team of professionals. If you would like to know more you can go along to today’s session (Wednesday, October 28) at Johnstone Town Hall from noon until 3pm or tomorrow’s session from 6pm until 8pm. Anyone interested has to be over 21 and needs to have a spare bedroom. If you can’t make the session you can call 0141 618 2535 for further information.

Gayle was an incredibly brave mum Many of you will have been following Gayle McElhinney’s selfless and courageous battle against cancer in The Gazette. I was sad to hear that Gayle, who put her cancer treatment on hold to concentrate on her son Kane’s battle against the same disease, lost her fight for life at the age of just 35. She was an extraordinary human being and an incredible wife and mother who was rightly named Scotland’s Bravest Mum. Gayle delayed a life-saving double mastectomy after her second bout of breast cancer because she didn’t want to be unwell recovering while Kane was undergoing treatment for liver cancer. Sadly, Kane, her youngest boy passed away at the age of 12 two years ago and now her devastated husband Robert and eldest son Daniel who live in Houston are trying to come to terms with a second tragedy. I remember that even from her hospice bed Gayle sent out an appeal through Facebook for her followers to display a gold ribbon in support of September’s Childhood Cancer Month. She was quite simply an astonishing and incredibly brave woman. We can all pay tribute to the courage of both Gayle and Kane as well as helping Robert and Daniel fulfil Gayle’s wishes by making a donation to Calum’s Cabin where they both enjoyed holidays during their illness. Donate through the charity’s JustGiving page on www.calumscabin.com.

PM backs Auchenlodment pupils I have previously written in my Gazette column about visiting the P6 pupils at Auchenlodment Primary School and being told how the boys and girls had been learning all about the “Send My Friend to School” campaign which is a global programme working to ensure quality education for all children. The pupils wanted to bring this campaign to the attention of the Prime Minister so I wrote to him highlighting their hard work. So it was smiles all round when the pupils received a personal response praising their efforts and enthusiasm. Mr Cameron recognised that many children are still missing out on a quality education and pledged to the pupils that the UK will continue to work hard to highlight the importance of education globally. MEP David Martin was also quick to congratulate the pupils on their impressive and intelligent ideas and their excellent effort. Well done again to the P6 class for raising such an important issue with politicians who can help make a difference.