Scotland is well into the pandemic lockdown now and while it has been a struggle, we have seen the goodness of our communities with the voluntary work being carried out.

Earlier in the month, I lodged a parliamentary motion praising Auchentoshan Distillery in Clydebank for changing production to produce hand sanitiser to give to community groups.

I am pleased to see this has had a tremendous effect across the board, with hospices, food banks, care homes, schools, community groups, volunteer organisations and more receiving supplies.

I have been humbled to see the fantastic response to the coronavirus crisis from organisations in Clydebank, also including West Dunbartonshire CVS, West Dunbartonshire Council, Golden Friendships, WD Carers and more.

And we all owe a debt of gratitude to Auchentoshan Distillery for their very generous gift to allow these organisations to do the good work they are doing.

It is now coming up for National Volunteer Week in Scotland, from June 1 to 7, which will be a great time to formally thank and mark the dedication people in Clydebank and beyond have shown.

Read more: OPINION Gil Paterson MSP: Scotland fights coronavirus together

All of these voluntary efforts go towards helping people get vital food supplies, hygiene products and general support during a time where we find our safety threatened by a deadly disease.

I am also very grateful for the work carried out by our NHS in helping thousands of people in Scotland battle through the coronavirus.

The work our doctors, nurses, carers and cleaners are doing is literally saving the lives of so many who otherwise may not have made it through.

I understand the social distancing and general lockdown measures are very difficult and have both physical and mental health consequences.

So I am hoping we can find a balance in the coming weeks to further ease the lockdown if the virus figures are kept under control.

Support is being given to business, with more than £10m already handed out to small businesses in West Dunbartonshire, which will go a long way in ensuring businesses can survive and jobs will not be lost.

I urge constituents of mine to remain strong and abide by these restrictions a little longer until we can be free of them and begin returning to normal again, with new lessons and insights into making a better future for Clydebank and the whole of Scotland.