The founder of a local charity had the opportunity to speak with King Charles at a special anniversary event in Edinburgh.

The King and Queen Camilla were at Holyrood on Saturday, September 28 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Scottish Parliament.

MSPs nominated an individual to attend the event who has made an extraordinary contribution to the constituency or region that they represent.

Russell MacMillan of East Renfrewshire Good Causes (ERGC) was chosen by Eastwood MSP Jackson Carlaw to be his “local hero”.

Russell said: “It was an incredible honour for me to attend the 25th anniversary celebration of the Scottish Parliament and to shake the hand of the King.

“The key focus of ERGC is to offer small acts of kindness to people in need and deliver essential forms of support that individuals who are experiencing challenging circumstances would otherwise struggle to have in place.

“To be able to meet with His Majesty is not a situation I would have thought possible when starting the charity all of those years ago and I am truly humbled to have done so as the nominated local hero for the Eastwood constituency.”

Russell established ERGC in May 2007 in memory of the organ donor who saved his life after he was required to undergo a pancreas and kidney transplant.

Since its founding, the charity has raised £2.3 million and supported almost 8,500 people in difficult circumstances.

Examples of the assistance provided by the organisation include wet floor shower adaptations for pensioners who are living with a disability, transport funding for cancer patients on low incomes and delivering play equipment for children with additional support needs.

Jackson Carlaw added: “Russell is an extraordinary individual and, when experiencing life-threatening health problems, he did not think of himself but instead how he could use his own adversity to help others.

“Last year, I had Russell through at Holyrood after securing parliamentary debating time to commend his work to MSPs and it was fantastic to invite him back as my local hero to meet with the King.”