Ayrshire Cancer Support Launches New 100km Community Challenge Ayrshire Cancer Support has launched a brand-new fundraising challenge for 2026, encouraging people across Ayrshire to get active throughout May while supporting local people affected by cancer. The Ayrshire 100 invites individuals, families, friends, workplaces and community groups to complete 100 kilometres over the course of the month. Participants can take part in any way that suits them, including walking, ru

Youngsters attending an inclusive Easter holiday camp in Kilmarnock were treated to a special surprise when three Premiership players dropped in to meet them. Kilmarnock FC stars Robbie Deas, David Watson and Lewis Mayo paid a visit to The Killie Community’s Easter programme, posing for photos, signing autographs and helping create lasting memories for the children and young people taking part. Jordan Allison, head of charity at The Killie Community, said the visit had a huge

A community roofing project at Auchincruive has been praised for delivering lasting benefits to both residents and young people, while transforming a derelict building into something positive once again. The initiative, led by Andy Kerr, Operations Director at KRB Group (Ayr) Ltd, brought together professionals, students and residents in a hands-on effort to rebuild a collapsed and dilapidated roof at River Gardens, Auchencruive. The building is linked to a local alcohol and

Colleagues at Asda Kilmarnock have gone the extra mile for charity by walking an incredible 6,229 miles and raising more than £500 for breast cancer causes. The fundraising challenge was organised as part of Asda Tickled Pink, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Staff at the Kilmarnock store originally set themselves a target of 300 miles, but the effort soon grew into something much bigger. What began with a small group of front-end colleagues quickly gather

Dobbies Garden Centre in Ayr has helped raise more than £4,200 for Alzheimer’s Research UK as part of a national partnership that has brought in £235,000 in its first year. The fundraising total was announced as Dobbies Garden Centres marked the first year of its partnership with the dementia research charity, which launched in March 2025. Ayr store customers and staff contributed £4,213 to the overall figure through a range of in-store and community fundraising efforts. Dobb

River Garden Auchincruive has thanked local businesses and supporters after receiving a major boost during a large-scale clean-up of its site. The organisation said it is currently in the middle of a significant clear-up operation across the site, tackling years of accumulated items as it works to create space for future growth and new opportunities. While River Garden aims to reuse, recycle, sell or repurpose as much as possible, the scale of the task meant extra support was

Pupils from Pennyburn Primary were treated to a memorable day out with a special visit to The Killie Community Hub and Rugby Park. The North Ayrshire youngsters began their trip with a tour of the hub, where they learned more about the wide range of work carried out by The Killie Community and the support it provides across the local area. They then headed to Rugby Park for an exciting behind-the-scenes look around the famous stadium, giving pupils the chance to experience on

A member of the Hydro Health Club at Seamill Hydro has raised more than £1,500 for charity after completing a deeply personal fitness challenge. Wendy Spencer successfully raised £1,503 for the British Heart Foundation after taking on her “Heartversary 26/26” challenge throughout the month of March. The initiative saw her walk and swim a combined total of 26 miles in recognition of two significant milestones within her family. The challenge marked 10 years since her daughter

Ayr customers can support families facing financial difficulties during the Easter school holidays by picking up an extra bag to put through the checkout at Tesco stores. The donation bags, which cost between £2 and £5, are pre-packed with healthy long life food items. They will be available in every large Tesco store in and around Ayr during the Easter break (30 March to 12 April) to make donating the most-needed items to the charitiesFareShare & The Felix Project and Trus

An Ayrshire runner has been praised after raising vital funds for disadvantaged children by completing a major half marathon event. Lucy-Ann Bryson took part in the inaugural Paisley Half Marathon on Sunday, crossing the finish line in an impressive time of 2 hours and 17 minutes. Based in Ayrshire, Lucy-Ann used the challenge to support Cash for Kids West Scotland, surpassing her original fundraising target through her efforts. The money raised will go directly towards helpi

A Girvan charity working to tackle the root causes of poverty is marking its second anniversary by inviting the community to a free family celebration later this month. AYE Girvan will host its birthday event on Saturday 21 March from 11am to 1pm at the Wave Hub on Dalrymple Street, with a packed programme including a disco, party games and entertainment for all ages. Founding trustee Tanina Baronello said the event is an opportunity to bring people together and reflect on th

Students at the University of the West of Scotland’s Ayr campus have completed a 24-hour live radio broadcast in support of a South Ayrshire mental health charity. Broadcasting through UWS Radio, the student team surpassed their original £500 target, raising £825 for Three Sixty, a local organisation providing mental health support across the area. The fundraiser was led by UWS Radio Station Manager Katy Watson, a third-year BA TV, Radio and Podcast Production student, alongs

A local horticultural group are celebrating after receiving a substantial financial boost that will help ‘grow’ their organisation. The Three Towns Growers will receive just under £25,000 over two years from North Ayrshire Ventures Trust (NAVT) to help them establish their Hub. The money - £12,420 each year – will help them install and purchase Heat Recovery Ventilation Unit (MVHR), Air Conditioning Heat Pump (ASHP) and Solar (Photovoltaics) to help develop the The Hub, which

The Broadway Cinema in Prestwick has taken another significant step towards its restoration with the arrival of an original Wurlitzer cinema organ, donated by a private collector and set to be installed once work on the building is complete. When the project is finished, The Broadway will become the only cinema in Scotland to house a fully operational cinema organ. The instrument has a rich history of its own. It was originally installed at the Ritz Cinema in Luton, formerly

Colleagues from Stagecoach South Scotland in Ayrshire are preparing to lace up their walking boots once again for Kiltwalk 2026, marking the fourth consecutive year teams from the area have taken part in the event. The Glasgow Kiltwalk takes place on Sunday 26 April, with 45 places available for Stagecoach employees. Open to all abilities, the Kiltwalk is designed to be inclusive, sociable and enjoyable, bringing colleagues together in support of causes close to their hearts.

Scots and Ukrainians working side by side in Ayr Doug Maclean reports – Spending time with the Ukrainian community in Ayr brings the war into sharp focus in a way headlines never can. It stops being a distant conflict measured in maps, statistics or political statements and becomes something far more human, personal and immediate. One of the people who brought this home to me was Anatolia Artemenko, a 79-year-old Ukrainian scientist who now lives as a refugee in Troon.

A long anticipated moment has arrived for the Alloway Railway Tunnel project, with the unveiling of a dramatic new mural scene that brings one of Scotland’s most famous literary moments vividly to life. The latest artwork reveals the climactic finale of Tam o’ Shanter , depicting Tam and Meg in full flight across the bridge, pursued by a frenzy of witches. The scene captures the tension, energy and fear of the poem’s closing moments, set just a short distance from the real B

The generosity of the Ayrshire public has helped raise thousands of pounds for local causes, with £6,600 donated to charity through the Tree of Remembrance initiative in Ayr town centre. Organised by Ayr Rotary Club , the Tree of Remembrance was located on Ayr High Street throughout December, providing residents and visitors with an opportunity to remember loved ones while supporting vital community services. Funds collected over the festive period have been shared between th

The Glasgow leg of Scotland’s biggest mass participation walking event is gathering pace, with the earliest wave of the Mighty Stride now officially fully booked. Organisers of the Glasgow Mighty Stride have confirmed that the 8.30am start time at Glasgow Green has sold out, reflecting strong demand from walkers eager to take part in the annual fundraising event. However, thousands of places remain available across later start times, with the 9.00am, 9.30am and 10.00am waves

A football-focused support programme delivered by Killie Community is helping to improve school attendance and reduce youth offending across Ayrshire, with new figures highlighting significant gains in engagement and behaviour among participating young people. The Pitchin’ In initiative, which uses football as a gateway to structured support and learning, has recorded a marked improvement in outcomes during its most recent delivery. Average school attendance among participan