The founder of a Dalmuir charity has opened up on the organisation's involvement in this year's ScotRail's Christmas campaign.

Golden Friendships, who provide a variety of different anti-loneliness services across Clydebank, had five volunteers appear in the train operators festive advert to highlight isolation amongst older people.

It was produced in conjunction with Age Scotland, who were named as the official charity partner of ScotRail in April.

The video shows the different ways railway staff can provide elderly people with support over the Christmas period.

Jim McLaren, founder of Golden Friendships, opened up on the group being involved in the campaign.

(Image: Jim McLaren) He said: "I was asked by Age Scotland to put forward five volunteers to appear in the advert.

"This followed on from us winning the charity's 'Member Group of the Year 2024' award back in October.

"The filming took place over the course of a day in Glasgow Queen Street station and it was wonderful to be involved."

READ MORE: Community group wins national award for tackling loneliness

Local volunteers Agnes McLaren, Molly Kelly, Cathie Marks, Barbara Biggins and Chrissie Graham all feature in advert.

They play an important role in helping Golden Friendships deliver a weekly lunch club, activities, fun and friendship for almost 300 older people in the Clydebank community.

Jim was also keen to highlight that video touches on a difficult topic that the charity comes up against on a daily basis.

He continued: "One of the reasons our organisation exists is to combat loneliness in the community so that is why we are delighted to contribute to such a vital campaign.

"During winter, isolation is something that ends up increasing a lot within the community due to the weather.

"It is vital that people are able to get out of the house and go somewhere to socialise.

"One of the things we do as an organisation to try and combat this is by putting on our free meals on a Tuesday night over the winter period to not only make sure people have a warm meal but also try and reduce isolation.

"We don’t want elderly people slipping through the cracks and spending time on their own this festive season."