ADVERTISING online and in social media may be increasingly important for businesses these days – but members of Helensburgh Garelochside Rotary Club proved this week that there’s still a place for one of the oldest advertising methods of them all.

The club’s members walked around Helensburgh town centre on Saturday on their annual ‘Board Walk March’, advertising local businesses and raising money for local good causes at the same time.

Led by piper Colin Lawrie, the marchers set off from Colquhoun Square with words of encouragement from Argyll and Bute’s Provost, Len Scoullar, who had travelled from Rothesay that morning to show his support, ringing in their ears.

They were also joined by Gayle Savage, assistant governor of Rotary District 1230, which covers the west of Scotland, and by the club’s newest honorary member, Brian Averell, who was on hand to capture all the action on camera.

The board walk’s organiser, John Macpherson, the club’s immediate past president, said: “Tremendous support from the local businesses enabled us to raise £1,500 from our Board Walk which will help us to support various local charities and good causes.

“We are especially grateful to the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers who joined us and carried a quarter of the boards. Every single member of the Rotary Club of Helensburgh Garelochside joined in helping to make the event a success and I am very grateful to everyone”

Club president Norman Quirk added: “The Board Walk is now established as one of our major fundraising events and the monies raised have helped us to purchase much needed medical equipment for the two GP practices in Helensburgh.

“I would like to thank all the businesses that supported us by buying boards and to Police Scotland Youth Volunteers who helped with the carrying.”