HUNDREDS of people turned up to celebrate the grand opening of the Golden Friendships Community Halls.

On Saturday, July 6, the new sign on the former 543 Club was unveiled by Still Game actors Jane McCarry (Isa) and Mark Cox (Tam).

Jim McLaren, founder of the group, told the Post: “It was an amazing day and the turnout well exceeded expectations. The encouragement received at anything Golden Friendships do shows us that people want what we have to offer.

“We want to do more, and this kind of support just keeps charging the batteries. Isa and Tam from Still Game turning up was the icing on the cake.”

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More than £80,000 was raised by members of the Clydebank community and beyond, in order for the group to secure the purchase of the building on Nairn Place, which they can now call their own.

On the day there was karaoke, stalls, glitter tattoo, a magic show, a raffle, and dancing.

In a speech before cutting the ribbon Jim said: “Jamie from Saint John’s Lodge, Dalmuir, let us use the 543 Club for the last two and a half years and we’ve paid them very minimal charges so they’ve helped us come this far. I want to thank Jamie for that.”

Jim also thanked everyone for their help and support, and those who have donated, in any way.

He said: “To this day, some people have handed us £10,000 cheques, and other people have bought a raffle ticket. To me, every single bit is important as the other, as people can only give what they’ve got. And if you’ve got nothing and come here and give people your time that’s just as important as well because that’s what we want to be about - being there for each other.”