IN July 1987, we told of Billy Paton, who was well known for running his grocery stall at the Barras market in the East End of Glasgow.

But what most of his customers did not know was that Billy, of Tobago Street in Calton, also carried out a vital role in helping save the lives of young babies.

The 30-year-old had spent three evenings a week for the previous nine months collecting clothing, shoes and bric-a-brac for the Cot Death Trust. He had already raised more than £1200 to help pay for research into the silent killer that hits hundreds of families each year.

The modest Billy said : "I just give three hours of my time three days a week - an hour in the morning to drop off the plastic bags at people's houses and two hours at night to pick them up again."

The charity he was helping was just two years old when Billy offered his services.

Today it still aims to raise awareness of the condition that affects one family every nine days in Scotland, who lose a baby and most likely never know why.

Billy, and fellow volunteers, should be proud of their efforts.