Matt Marshall and the team of dedicated residents who make up Neilston Community Repair have just been given high visibility clothing to make them more visible when working during the dark winter days.

And so far they have removed almost a tonne of rubbish from the streets — filling 23 rubbish bags full of discarded takeaway wrappers, bottles and general trash.

And even local stores have extended their thanks to the group.

Matt Marshall, chairman of Neilston Community Repair, said: “To date, we’ve filled 23 rubbish bags from the area and we try to do it at least once a week when the weather is permitting.

“We feel that the problem has been getting out of hand and really bringing the visual appeal of the area down as well as reducing the sanitation in the area.” The group received a funding boost from East Renfrewshire Good Causes to aid them with getting high visibility vests.

Incredibly, as detailed elsewhere in this issue, East Renfrewshire Good Causes is celebrating a milestone after giving out more than £200,000 worth of aid to needy families and individuals all across East Renfrewshire and Barrhead.

Matt added: “The help ERGC has given us to date has been remarkable and together we’ve helped several families within East Ren and Neilston.

“We work very closely together in an effort to improve the lives of everyone within our community. I would also like to thank the people who currently donate to ERGC for making the Hi-Vis vests donation possible.” James Sweeney, owner of LogoWear who provided the vests said: “Russell McMillan​, who pioneered East Renfrewshire Good Causes, told me about the tremendous work undertaken by Matt and his team of volunteers at Neilston Community Repair.

“We, at LogoWear, are delighted to be involved with the supply of their hi visibility vests and hope that they will not only keep them safe but that the logo displayed on their back will let everyone in Neilston know who these good people are.”