THE weather outside may be frightful, but as we see in today's Streets Ahead spotlight, that's not holding back city campaigners who want to improve their communities.

As Glasgow continues its preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and bids to host the Youth Olympics four years later, Marieclaire McGuinness and her fellow residents, who want to build a rooftop garden in Partick, show that we can all reach for the sky no matter what.

Over the last 12 months we have seen our award-winning Clear the Air campaign – run in partnership with Great Glasgow and Clyde and Lanarkshire Health Boards – help more than 12,000 people kick the smoking habit ... double the target.

Opt for Life, our bid to have the organ donation law in Scotland changed to one of presumed consent, has won praise and favour from MSPs and public alike.

And just last week, a mystery donor helped put the Prince and Princess of Wales Hopsice's Brick by Brick fund-raising campaign – which is backed by the Evening Times – well on its road with a gift of £100,000.

And so as we prepare to see out the Auld Year and welcome in the New, let us look forward to a 2013 in which Glasgow continues to flourish, its citizens continue to enjoy a healthier lifestyle and people like Marieclaire see their dreams fulfilled.

A guid New Year to ane an' a'!