Titan crane turns purple in memory of pensioner

CLYDEBANK’S famous ­Titan crane has been lit purple in memory of a pensioner suffering from dementia whose body was found nine days after she went missing.

The Titan crane lit up. Picture: West Dunbartonshire Council

Janet McKay, 88, was reported missing from her home in Knightswood in a case that brought further criticism of Police Scotland after the force failed to follow up on a possible sighting of her.

West Dunbartonshire Council was asked by a resident to consider lighting the Titan Crane purple for Alzheimer’s in her memory, and was pleased to oblige.

Provost Douglas McAllister, said: “Nothing can alleviate what Mrs McKay’s family must be going through, but we hope this gesture shows we are thinking of them.”

Janet McKay.

News of the decision on the Council’s Facebook page was welcomed, with the update reaching 170,000 people and being shared more than 1,500 times by residents.

Alzheimer Scotland community fundraiser Bronwyn O’Riordan said: “It’s lovely to see the level of community support for West Dunbartonshire Council’s gesture.

“It is an incredibly sad situation and our thoughts are with Mrs McKay’s family. The strength of community support and the positive messages have been particularly encouraging.”

The Titan Crane will be lit until dawn tomorrow.

The Alzheimer Scotland team will be at the Titan Crane today from 9.30am-4pm to support a charity abseil. Anyone who wishes to donate, speak to the team or ask about dementia is encouraged to come along.