Glasgow Humane Society

08/10/2026

Our cutest volunteer collecting the lifebelts and footballs 🛟🐾🐶

07/10/2026

💪 🛟 🚣

At 2.45 in the morning on 18 April 1978, a 43 year old woman went into the River Clyde from the Albert Bridge in Glasgow. The water was eight to twelve feet deep, fast flowing and bitterly cold, with the rusting remains of an old metal structure jutting up from the riverbed below.

George Parsonage was woken from his sleep and rushed to the bridge, where two Strathclyde Police officers, Inspector Kenneth McLean and Sergeant Colin Campbell, were waiting. He dropped a lifebuoy into the river and tied its line to the parapet. Then he let the officers lower him some 60 feet on a second rope, down into the black water.

In total darkness, with the water at just 2°C, he swam six yards to the woman, took hold of her in a chin tow and brought her back to the rope. As the police hauled her up, her unconscious body caught on the parapet. George was pulled up on the other line to free her, and she was finally lifted to safety. He began artificial respiration straight away. In less than a minute she was breathing again, and she was taken to hospital by ambulance.

For this rescue he was awarded the Royal Life Saving Society's Mountbatten Medal, given each year for the most gallant rescue in the Commonwealth.

George was born on the banks of the Clyde, in the Glasgow Humane Society's house on Glasgow Green, and made his first river rescue in 1958 alongside his father, Ben. When Ben d*ed in 1979, George took over the society. Over the next four decades he is credited with rescuing more than 1,500 people from the river. He was made an MBE in 1999 and finally stepped back in 2019, at the age of 75.

A true Glasgow hero.

24/09/2026

Our volunteers Callum and Lily assisting Officer William Graham on the Clyde, much appreciated 🛟😊🩵

07/09/2026

See this article in The Glasgow Times about the Glasgow Humane Society opening up our space so that Men Matter Scotland can have a city centre container that their street teams can work from and use as a base for the fantastic preventative work that they do. Really happy to have you guys. See the Men Matter guys prepping the space in the final pic 💛 You'll find the link for the article in our story.
Men Matter Scotland

06/09/2026

If you’re finding things hard, please remember you don’t have to go through it alone.

Clydebank Crematorium hosted a deeply moving service to remember those lost to su***de and to support those still living with the pain of grief.

The ceremony was organised by Clydebank Churches Together, to remember people affected by su***de loss.

Reverend Gerry Simonis highlighted how important it is to remember support is there, while many struggle to confide in others.

The service included prayers, poetry, scripture readings, and a wreath-laying, creating a sense of community for grieving families.

Organisers stressed the need to raise awareness of the help available, especially during challenging times caused by financial hardship and the cost-of-living crisis and urged people to reach out.

The Glasgow Humane Society was represented at the ceremony by David Keown, charity trustee.

06/09/2026

In line with our 🐾🐕 themed posts this weekend and the six year anniversary of Lede's passing, we're posting his boat as well ❤️ Lede served for two years in Afghanistan alongside his handler and favourite human, our Officer, William Graham. Upon retirement, Lede became an ambassador for the Glasgow Humane Society and is missed very much everyday 🛟🐾🩵🥹