It’s so easy to become pessimistic when you look around you. 

Events in the world would not fill anyone with hope. The war in Ukraine continues, and the search for peace or compromise seems to have drifted off the agenda. 

We have lost trust in our political leaders. We look around our own community and the social issues we face. It’s hard to be optimistic and yet now and again you hear a story, or you witness some act of kindness or you just meet someone who restores your faith in human nature. Donald Campbell was such a man.

Donald was born in Overton House, Dumbarton, in the angel room, though I doubt if he ever saw himself as an angel. But he was a true Son of the Rock. He had many interests. He played cricket, football and rugby for local teams, He was a booler, kept budgies, had a love of Burns and a lifelong love of boats.

He also played in Dumbarton Pipe Band. He was at the head of  the parade when Jackie Stewart was made a freeman of the Burgh. Donald played the big drum. 

His vision obscured, he did not see a litter bin in front of him and fell over it. A young woman standing nearby helped him back to his feet. A nice theatrical touch to attract attention, for it was at that moment he also fell… in love with that girl who later became his wife.

He worked for British Telecom and was highly regarded by all his colleagues. I suppose they were all shocked when Donnie decided to change career and become a minister.

During Covid we streamed from Lomond Parish Church in Balloch a weekly programme of about 15 minutes in length. We had a sort of light hearted introduction which caused one viewer to see it as the ministry’s answer to Jack and Victor.   

I would like to think that comment was inspired by an appreciation of Donald’s down-to-earth decency and humanity. Someone once said of him: “When he entered the house, we did not know him, when he left we felt we had known him all our life.”

What a unique gift.

Sadly we lost him early in the month of January of this year. It was a privilege to know him and work with him. He was a big man, with a huge heart who had no other aspiration than to be there for people, to care for people.  

It’s folk like Donald that keeps the hope alive that there can be change for the better. Someone once sang: “If I can help somebody, then my living will not be in vain.” 

That could well have been his mantra.