by Maxine McArthur and Tristan Stewart-Robertson

A PROMISE is being kept to Paige Doherty - and it’s only the beginning.

The family of the popular schoolgirl have begun their campaign to both keep the memory of the 15-year-old alive but also help others.

As dozens of Clydebank residents assembled in Whitecrook on Friday night, her mum and step-dad spoke exclusively to the Post about Paige’s Promise, the new community group they hope will expand far and wide.

Young people aged 10-16 signed up for self-defence classes at Centre81 as the first offering from what Paige's family intend to be a registered charity, which they hope will also offer befriending and support for loved ones suffering loss.

Since Paige died in March, there has been wide outpouring of support for her mum, Pamela Munro, step-dad Andy and siblings Andrew, 10, Peyton, five, and Lucas, nine months, who were all at the Paige's Promise launch.

"Paige was always helping other people," said Pamela, 33. "We are promising to do that for her, to continue doing that for other people, to continue helping people.

"If we could make it the biggest thing in the world, we would do it."

Andy, 34, added the "promise" of the name was also a "promise to keep her memory alive".

The idea for self-defence classes was something the family felt was necessary.

Pamela said: "It seems like the right thing to do. Our daughter was hurt so if we can do something ... You need to be able to protect yourself.

"It's just so kids have a basic knowledge to protect themselves on the odd chance that something happens to them, whether bullying or something worse. At least they have something in place.

"Everybody and even strangers thought it was a good idea. People said it should be part of the curriculum - for whatever reason the government doesn’t think it needs to be."

Andy said there was an obvious need for the training in the area and further afield.

"It’s something you see a lot more of - maybe kids getting bullied, especially with social media," he said. "And maybe the government should look at it again.

"It’s more and more common. You’re coming across videos of some poor kids being picked on.

"Having the knowledge of self-defence might be enough to change their life."

The eight-week classes will be delivered by Whitecrook native and life-long friend of Andy, Pat Sheridan.

The 46-year-old, a youth trainer at the Kibble charity in Paisley, started learning taekwondo when he was 10 and then Jeet Kune Do (JKD), Bruce Lee's style of fighting.

"I found there was a range missing from these things so I sought out JKD because it was for the street. That’s what I will be teaching here," said the Yoker resident, who has been through a full Disclosure Scotland check.

"I think it’s important to give kids a knowledge of self-defence for their own wellbeing and confidence.

"I’m not going to be teaching any Hollywood stuff here - just simple effective drills so it will hopefully become second nature to them.

"It's only a last resort. If you have opportunity to run away, do that. We will just be taking them that one bit further."

Comedian Frankie Boyle, a friend of Pat's has already promised to support the project through funding safety equipment such as shin pads, eye protection and focus pads - just part of the amazing support for Pamela and the rest of the family.

Paige disappeared on March 19 and her body was found two days later. Since then, the loss is visible, daily, in close family and friends who regularly pay tribute to Paige's regular habit of pouting in photos with their own selfies.

The local community in attendance watched as the Munro's spoke of their dedication to protect other children just months after their beloved daughter's death.

Pamela thanked the 30 residents who turned up for their support and said she hoped the community group could be a positive one.

She is in the process of filing paperwork to register Paige's Promise as a charity. They are not accepting any funds until the charity is fully set up. From there, further classes could be possible with enquiries already about training for adult women.

"The whole of Clydebank and Glasgow, the support has been fantastic - it’s overwhelming," she said.

"These people don’t know me and they went out of their way to support me, support us.

"It’s a positive aspect for others. We are not going to see positive in our life for a very very long time. It’s a comfort to bring something positive to others.

"We always want to thank the public for their support and I get messages constantly and it’s nice to hear - it keeps you going. Hopefully this will lead to bigger and better."

- Pamela and Pat hope to attract interest for the next eight-week block of classes and contact details will be available in the coming weeks.