AN ALLOA company was praised for its "kindness in dark days" after offering its support to Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire.

Alloa Hire Centre (AHC) in Tullibody received a huge vote of thanks from the group, which supports people suffering from lung conditions, for funding the first issue of Breathe Easy's bi-monthly newsletter.

As members of the group, such as chair Linda McLeod BEM, are at a higher risk to develop serious complications if they were to contract coronavirus, they had all been shielding for the past months.

This meant that the group has been unable to put on its usual meetings, but the newsletter is a way to keep in touch with others while sharing some useful information.

Breathe Easy gave thanks to AHC's Barry MacPherson for the kind gesture and said on social media: "Such kindness in these dark days shows us that there are indeed people who like to do good deeds for others.

"Thank you so much again."

Meanwhile, shielding was officially put on pause at the weekend on Saturday, August 1.

It means people who had been asked to isolate at home in a bid to avoid contracting Covid-19 can follow the same guidance as everyone else in Scotland.

However, the Advertiser understands many will be rather cautious in emerging following months spent inside.

Breathe Easy chair Linda, for instance, has said she will be "extremely cautious" about going out.

However, the newsletter will be one way of keeping in touch with her members going forward.