I JOINED the National as a full-time journalist at the beginning of this month, having worked part-time since August.

My time here so far has been a whirlwind. It’s certainly an interesting time to join, and I’ve ended up covering everything from Section 35 to the potential end of the Bute House Agreement to wildcat conservation.

So many stories simply wouldn’t have been reported if it weren’t for the National.

READ MORE: 'I honestly don't know': Patrick Harvie speaks out on future of Bute House Agreement

We’re the first – and pretty much only – newspaper in the UK to take a firm stand against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

That included helping to raise more than £100,000 for Medical Aid for Palestinians.

I’ve spoken to Palestinian activists to hear firsthand why it’s so important we continue to show solidarity.

I’m also proud to say that I’m the only journalist in Scotland right now who focuses primarily on trade union news.

I attended the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) annual congress in Dundee last week, where I asked Humza Yousaf whether he’d encourage workers to join a union.

And I started our weekly newsletter On the Picket Line (which you can subscribe to here), which in just a few short months has gained hundreds of subscribers.

READ MORE: Michelle Mone shuts down two of her three remaining businesses amid PPE police probe

I’ve also temporarily taken over grassroots reporting from my colleague Laura Pollock and had the pleasure of attending my first independence march in the job this weekend.

It’s rallies like the one in Glasgow yesterday which show us why The National does what it does. The support for independence is only growing, and we need to be there to tell the rest of the world what we’re fighting for.

Please, continue to support us by subscribing today. Our special spring sale gives you access to all of our content, including digital editions, for just £20 for a year.

All you need to do is head to thenational.scot/subscribe.