A SATIRICAL website has managed to raise a bumper sum of cash on behalf of two Neilston organisations.

The Neilston News raked in £1,200 over the festive period through sales of a tongue-in-cheek calendar which pokes light-hearted fun at the village and Barrhead.

Neilston Development Trust (NDT) has been allocated £900 of the takings, while the village’s youth football club, Neilston Wasps, will benefit from the rest.

Featuring a humorous news article each month, the calendar focuses on a mixture of specific characters and wider issues.

Residents were asked to pay £10 for a copy.

After launching the popular website and its accompanying Facebook page last year, founder Stewart McKenzie decided to make the most of the Neilston News’ ever-growing fanbase to give something back to his home village.

He told the Barrhead News: “I would like to thank everyone who managed to purchase a calendar – it was really appreciated.

“I would also like to thank the girls at Cup n Saucer, as well as Scott Carwood, who all did a great job in helping sell the calendars in the village.

“I’m glad to say that the calendars managed to raise £1,200 for local community groups to put towards equipment, projects and events.

“I had no intentions of making any money out of the calendars for myself but also had no idea how many I would sell, so I’m pretty chuffed that they managed to raise a tidy wee sum for these groups.

“I’m sure the cash will be put to good use.”

Pauline Gallacher, NDT chairwoman, added: “We are delighted to be the joint recipients of Neilston News’ kind donation and we’re thinking about the best way to use it for community benefit.

“It means a lot to us when other local organisations express their support for our work, so we want to return the compliment by using the cash in a really positive way.

“We – and no doubt Neilston News – will be letting everyone know as soon as we’ve come to a decision.”