THE summer of 2024 officially marked 25 years since the Scottish Parliament was reconvened– 25 years since many significant powers were devolved to Holyrood and a Scottish Government under the First First Minister, Donald Dewar, formed.

This milestone was something that everyone who has been involved in Scottish politics wished to celebrate but of course the general election made an event in early July difficult to arrange.

Thankfully the delayed celebrations finally commenced last Saturday with a special commemorative anniversary event at Holyrood.

The celebrations were honoured by the presence of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen.

My MSP colleagues and I were asked to nominate one of our constituents who have made an extraordinary contribution to their communities and who we considered to be their ‘local hero’.

I didn’t hesitate with my choice. I invited campaigner and fundraiser Mariya Javed and her family to join me in Parliament.

Since the sudden loss of her brother, Ahmar, Mariya has raised thousands of pounds for AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation) research and child bereavement services.

Mariya has also campaigned for better bereavement education and loss support in schools.

One of the main ways she has raised funds over the years is by participating in the Kiltwalk.

I was delighted to join Mariya on the latest Kiltwalk earlier this year and do my part in contributing to her vital cause. 

To be joined by Mariya’s mother Sameena, her father Mohammad and brother Ayaan was special, and I was delighted that they had the chance to meet the King and share Mariya’s work with him.

In the same week, I was pleased to welcome other guests to the Scottish Parliament.

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The Ferguslie Park Community Choir and Rays of Hope Cancer Charity, based in Elderslie, are two organisations that I’m glad to say I know well.

I’ve visited both to learn about the important work they do in their community and I’ve highlighted their efforts in parliamentary motions.

I jumped at the opportunity to invite them both to parliament to give a short but powerful singing performance on the steps of the Garden Lobby.

The choir – made up of Ferguslie Park Community Choir and members of the Rays of Hope community choir – performed their own brilliant versions of well-known songs.

It was great to see a crowd of MSPs, parliament staffers and other guests stop and take the performance in.

After their performance I took the choir for a tour of Parliament and to show them some of my favourite unique historical features of the building.

I tell every guest the same thing: this is your parliament, it belongs to you and so you should always feel welcome to be here.

In the last 25 years of our Scottish Parliament, many important debates have been had and many crucial pieces of legislation have been passed but it’s the presence of constituents coming to engage with MSPs that make it a special place.

Whether its Cross Party Groups meetings, committee sessions or school visits, people from across the country can come in to have their voice heard and their opinions listened to and see firsthand how our Parliament operates.

I am delighted to be in a position to invite my own constituents to Holyrood.

If you want to come to the Scottish Parliament to speak with me on a particular issue or if you just want to see the building for yourself, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with me to organise a visit.

I’ll say it again – it’s your parliament.