Clydebank charity Golden Friendships launches 'world-first'

Golden Friendships, located in Dalmuir, welcomed a number of celebrities and public figures to its inaugural Red Ramp Event on Saturday.

Jim McLaren, founder of the group, told the Post that the evening was “outstanding” and that he is already busy planning the next event.

BBC broadcaster John Beattie [pictured] and his band entertained attendees (Image: Jim McLaren)

Jim said: “Everyone had a ball, it was a great night. John Beattie from the BBC and his band played, Michelle McManus sang through dinner and Jackie Bird got up to sing with the band.

“My nephew James, who was volunteering as a waiter, went up and belted out four songs, he was amazing.

“Anita Manning from Bargain Hunt also came and did the auction. We managed to raise £4,400. The whole thing was marvellous but overwhelming.”

Michelle McManus [pictured] sang to guests throughout the evening (Image: Jim McLaren)

The charity is able to accommodate up to 50 wheelchair users and 50 companions at its halls in Nairn Place.

The premises also benefits from five accessible toilets and a specially lowered bar.

Jim, a former taxi driver and local karaoke star, explained that Golden Friendships has surpassed his wildest expectations.

He added: “I came here looking to open a karaoke club for a few people. I never expected anything it’s been a miraculous journey.

“It’s funny, I was sitting in the hall on Saturday, and Agnes McMonagle, who co-owns the ‘Chippy Boat’, and I were talking.

“The boat is the world’s first sail-through takeaway and the Red Ramp Events are also a world-first.

"We were chatting away and we’re going to put on a Red Ramp night with fish suppers from the world’s first sail-through takeaway to the world’s first wheelchair entertainment venue which all started in this town.”

Jim and his family – wife Karen, son Bobby, mother Agnes, and aunt Molly –  and their many helpers are already hard at work planning the next three Red Ramp Events dating all the way up to Christmas.

The first will take place on May 27 – an 80s night – then there will be a dinner and Freddie Mercury Tribute on July 8 before rounding the year off with a glitzy Red Ramp Christmas Party.

Jackie Bird joined the band onstage for a couple of songs (Image: Jim McLaren)

There will be four Red Ramp Events held each year.

Jim said: “People were spinning round the floor in their wheelchairs. Jackie Maceira had red lights on his wheels, it was just fabulous.

“The thing that made my night more than anything was Margaret Maceira in her wheelchair dancing and smiling all night long.

“She was on the floor dancing with her husband, they’re both in wheelchairs, and they danced all night long. To me, that’s what it’s all about.”

Martin Docherty-Hughes presents Jim McLaren with a Parliamentary Motion praising the work that Golden Friendships does (Image: Jim McLaren)

Martin Docherty-Hughes, West Dunbartonshire’s MP, was in attendance on the night and presented the charity with a surprise.

He added: "It was a privilege to present a copy of my parliamentary motion to Jim and all the team at the Golden Friendships Club.

"I'm grateful for everything they do to improve the lives of disabled people across West Dunbartonshire and beyond.

"The launch of Red Ramp Events was a great success. I commend everyone involved for bringing what we believe to be the world's first community-based wheelchair entertainment venue to Clydebank."

Jim and Anita Manning from Bargain Hunt (Image: Jim McLaren)

Jackie Maceira [left] spent much of the night on the dance floor (Image: Jim McLaren)

Jim and his mother Agnes up on the dance floor (Image: Jim McLaren)

Jim and Anita Manning (Image: Jim McLaren)