GLASGOW Cathedral's Reverend Laurence Whitley has offered a hand of support for those still struggling with the Clutha tragedy.

The minister and police chaplain attended the crash site during the horrific accident last year, and held a memorial service two days later for bereaved families and survivors.

He is now preparing for another service which he hopes will provide comfort and a sense of solidarity for those still struggling to cope.

"For many people who have been bereaved, the first anniversary is one of the worst times," he said.

"During the service we are reflecting on the Clutha one year on and building on the future.

"Glaswegians lead with their hearts and it has been remarkable the interest and inquiries about the service this year from people who weren't directly connected but plan to come along."

Families of the 10 killed when the police helicopter crashed on to the Clutha pub will join First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Glasgow's Lord Provost Sadie Doch-erty and Clutha owner Alan Crossan for tomorrow's St Andrew's Eve service.

For many relatives of those who died, it will be a chance to meet each other for the first time and reflect together on the past year.

Organised by religious umbrella group Glasgow Churches Together, the service will take place tomorrow at Glasgow Cathedral.

"The city felt it was very much their own; a Glasgow tragedy, and they have always felt themselves included in it," said Dr Whitley.

"I think I'm correct in saying Clutha is the Gaelic for Clyde. Just as the Clyde is very much the heart of the city of Glasgow, for years to come the word Clutha will be at the heart for many people who live here."

Assistant Chief Constable Bernard Higgins, head of Police Scotland's opera-tional support division, will give a reading and senior figures from the fire and ambulance services will also attend.

Catholic Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, who gave a reading at last year's memorial service, will join Reverend Whitley.

The archbishop visited emergency service staff on site last year and was overwhelmed by their determination in the face of the chaos before them.

He also got to know the relatives of PC Kirsty Nellis, who was in the helicopter.

The archbishop said: "We had a special kind of relationship with PC Kirsty Nellis as her funeral was here in the cathedral.

"I really got to know her husband and her family; it was an emotional and poignant occasion."

In the days following the accident, locals flocked to the cathedral to reflect on their experiences.

"At the time it was a space for people to be silent, to reflect, to be angry, tearful, to express their grief and to ask the questions they needed to," said Archbishop Tartaglia.

Now when he passes the site of the Clutha, which sits less than 200 metres from St Andrew's Cathedral, he is reminded not only of the terrifying series of events but also of the hundreds of good-hearted Glaswegians who rushed to help those in need.

Local residents turned out in droves to support emergency crews on scene while the Salvation Army gave hot food and drinks for those working that night and in the days that followed.

Nearby courts, churches and mosques also opened their doors to survivors and their families.

"It was a tragedy, a terrible tragedy," the Archbishop said.

"A lot of humanity and compassion emerged from there and it shows us the way forward for a community and a city living together.

"Today is an opportunity to really remember with respect those who perished.

"We should continue to share the burden of the bereaved and also appreciate again the compassion, courage and bravery of the city and its inhabitants."

hannah.rodger@eveningtimes.co.uk