A CHARITY that helps improve the lives of people across East Renfrewshire has reached another major milestone.

In the past six months, East Renfrewshire Good Causes (ERGC) has distributed more than £26,000 to those in need, taking the total paid out since its inception around a decade ago through the £350,000 barrier.

ERGC releases biannual achievement reports, with the most recent update showing it has now helped a total of 1,872 people.

Russell Macmillan, who was inspired to set up the organisation after suffering from kidney failure and Type 1 diabetes and surviving a lifesaving double organ transplant, explained that, in reality, the total value of the work ERGC has done amounts to much more.

He said: “The cash figure doesn’t take into account the free time and material donations provided to people in our community by our partners and supporters, which, if included, at least doubles that number.

“The real catalyst for making ERGC as excellent as it is at plugging the gaps in state provision all comes down to the expertise and knowledge of trained frontline staff.”

The charity’s list of help shows this can include something as small as five bags of groceries and toiletries for low-income families to something more substantial, such as specialised wheelchairs for those whose mobility is impaired, or iPads for children struggling with autism and other learning difficulties.

Mr Macmillan, 53, who is also registered blind, admits each achievement, no matter the size or difficulty, is special in its own way.

He added: “It’s hard to pick any one achievement out as they all make me say ‘wow’.

“One minute we can be giving out donated food to a deserving household and the next we can be fitting equipment worth three or four thousand pounds in someone’s home.

“There is a conveyor belt of needs being brought to our attention and we do our best to collaborate with everyone in our community to meet those needs.”

Mr Macmillan said he was recovering from major surgery 11 years ago when “divine intervention” inspired him to set up ERGC.

He explained: “In the lead-up to the transplant, I never had any thought as to what may or may not happen afterwards, as I was struggling so much already.

“The days after it was completed are a bit of a blur and complications meant there was a chance the surgery was all going to turn out for nothing. But, all of a sudden, I felt this incredible energy and I knew what I had to do. In about 15 minutes, I had scribbled the entire business plan for ERGC into 20 pages of a notebook. If I hadn’t experienced it myself, I would say ‘aye right.’”

Mr Macmillan is adamant it is not he alone who is responsible for the success of the enterprise. He said: “I’d love to take full credit for the idea but I am only the facilitator of this great concept.”

You can find out more at: www.ergoodcauses.co.uk