Ayrshire Cancer Support News

June Newsletter - Our Ayr Centre is officially open!

mccallk@ayrshirecs.org — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 10:52:25 GMT

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May Newsletter - Kiltwalk Kindness and Marathon Marvels!

mccallk@ayrshirecs.org — Mon, 05 May 2025 10:19:53 GMT

Gather the girls!

We are delighted to announce this fabulous upcoming event, in collaboration with The Vine!

Join us on Friday 23rd May from 12pm-4pm for an unforgettable afternoon! Hosted by the one and only Edward Reid, with live DJ sets, soulful saxophone sounds, and a whole lot of feel-good energy!

Your ticket includes a welcome drink, a delicious sharing starter, and a main course – all for just £39.95 per person.

Call 01292 677675 to book your table now! ��

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April Newsletter - Spring Forward - Exciting Times Ahead!

mccallk@ayrshirecs.org — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 11:18:36 GMT

Support from our Local Communities

We were delighted to feature in the Scottish Power Renewables Annual Community Report for 2024. The full report can be found here .

Scottish Power Renewables provides community benefit funds in areas that are home to a windfarm. The funds are managed and distributed by the local community, who select projects that will benefit and support local initiatives and projects. Carrick Futures is responsible for managing the community benefits derived from the Arecleoch Windfarm here in Southwest Scotland. In 2024, they donated £25,000 towards our fundraising efforts to deliver our new cancer support centre in Ayr.

The support of organisation like Carrick Futures has been vital in helping us to meet our ambitious fundraising target for the project. If you, or your organisation would like to find out more about our new support centre, we still have a number of sponsorship opportunities available. Contact fundraising@ayrshirecs.org to find out more.

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March Newsletter - Time to get excited - our Masquerade Ball is almost here!

mccallk@ayrshirecs.org — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 12:06:58 GMT

It's time! Masquerade March is here!

It is now only THREE weeks to go until we host our Masquerade Ball!

Tickets are selling FAST - don't miss out on the event of the year!

Join us on Saturday 22nd of March at Ayr Racecourse for an evening of true sophistication, intrigue and mystery!

Our annual fundraising ball is our biggest event of the year, with all funds raised going towards providing our essential, free services to those affected by cancer across Ayrshire.

To secure your tickets, click here .

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November Newsletter - We're Here For You

mccallk@ayrshirecs.org — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 13:55:02 GMT

What's on this month...

To find out what’s on in our centres and the community, please visit the What’s On section of our website by clicking the button below, drop in to our centre in Kilmarnock or contact us on 01563 538008 .

Shop Sustainably

Shop sustainably this festive season by visiting our retail store on Newmarket Street, Ayr or visiting our eBay stores online where you’ll find a mix of brand new and pre-loved items.

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October Newsletter - Latest News

mccallk@ayrshirecs.org — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 10:48:06 GMT

What's on this month...

Our Fantastic Fundraisers!

We would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to each and every participant who has taken part in The Ayrshire to Beatson challenge throughout the month of September.

Thank you to Team Brownings the Bakers! Team members climbed Goatfell and Directors John, Matthew and Fraser generously donated £5,000 to us on behalf of everyone’s efforts.

Huge thank you to the very brave Angela Gordon who took a Zipslide across the Clyde and raised a whopping £389!

THANK YOU! We are truly thankful to you all. ��

Dates for your diary...

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September Newsletter - Ayrshire to Beatson

mccallk@ayrshirecs.org — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 09:54:17 GMT

What's on this month...

Our Fantastic Fundraisers!

In recent weeks they have arranged some wonderful outdoor and sporting fundraising activities and took on some amazing challenges to support us...

Clay Pigeon Shoot, Climbing Goatfell, Stock Judging, Five-a-side Football Tournament, Golf Tournaments, Loch Ness 24, Paisley 10k, and Ice Hockey Showdown.

THANK YOU! We are truly thankful to you all ��

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August Newsletter - A busy summer at ACS

mccallk@ayrshirecs.org — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:52:52 GMT

What's on this month...

Colour Dash

What an amazing and colourful day it was for our inaugural joint co-ordinated fundraising event with The Ayrshire Hospice. Almost 200 Colour Dashers had fun ‘dashing’ their way round the 5k Eglinton Park route for Ayrshire Cancer Support.

Roon the Toon

What fabulous support we had this year. Almost sixty participants took part in Roon the Toon 10k and fundraised in aid of us. Congratulations to Team Galleon Centre who won fastest mens business team.

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Ayrshire Cancer Support breaks ground on new cancer support centre

mccallk@ayrshirecs.org — Fri, 03 May 2024 15:40:20 GMT

The centre will be the region’s only dedicated complete support facility for children, young people and adults affected by cancer.

Mr Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care was joined by civic dignitaries and council and NHS leaders as ground was officially broken on the charity’s new cancer support centre in Ayr.

Sandra McCall, Chief Executive Officer of Ayrshire Cancer Support explained work has commenced to transform the building into the region’s only dedicated complete support facility for children, young people and adults affected by cancer in Ayrshire. This was only made possible thanks to the generosity of several founding sponsors, grant funders, corporate partners, and the support of the local community in their fundraising efforts, for which the charity is extremely grateful.

The Ayr centre will add to the charity’s existing facilities of their Kilmarnock Centre and Head Office on 5 Dundonald Road; and will fill the gap in provision for free specialist counselling or therapeutic services for children and young people in the area. The new centre will include a large drop-in centre, counselling rooms, therapy rooms and bespoke spaces for children and young people.

Professor Ian Welsh OBE, Chairperson of Ayrshire Cancer Support said, “This project is a significant milestone in the history of the organisation. Once complete, the Ayr Centre will allow us to increase our support options, offering bespoke spaces for children, young people, and adults. Sadly, there are few people whose lives are unaffected by cancer and this centre will fill a gap for a much-needed service.”

Mr. Neil Gray MSP, Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care, said, “Cancer is a priority for this government, and that is why we published our ten-year Cancer Strategy and 3-year Action Plan last year. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to see the plans for this Centre and the fantastic work of Ayrshire Cancer Support in helping those affected by cancer.”

Claire Burden, Chief Executive of NHS Ayrshire & Arran, added, “Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be devastating, and having access to local specialist support, clinical and non-clinical is invaluable. This centre will provide much needed support and therapies for children, young people and adults, as well as their families and carers.”

For more information on Ayrshire Cancer Support’s new centre visit https://home4cancer.org/

May Newsletter - Our Story, Recent Events & What's On

mccallk@ayrshirecs.org — Thu, 02 May 2024 11:13:47 GMT

Share your feedback

In partnership with NHS Ayrshire & Arran and Macmillan Cancer Support, we’re involved in the scoping and development of cancer prehabilitation across Ayrshire. If you are currently having, or have had cancer treatment since June 2022, please use the link below to complete the survey and help us to shape local services.

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/H3MKH0/

Discover new books and meet new people

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April Newsletter - Investing in our Volunteers

mccallk@ayrshirecs.org — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 15:24:39 GMT

We'd like to introduce you to Alasdair ��

Alasdair lives with advanced prostate cancer and continues to undergo treatment with hormone injections. Alasdair’s advice to other people affected by prostate cancer is "Be positive, ask for support, and talk to others." Alasdair has accessed Ayrshire Cancer Support’s services and said he’s had a very positive experience. He would highly recommend the 6 week Living Well with Prostate Cancer Course as a way to talk with others in similar positions and share experiences, as well as getting advice from professionals.

There are a number of services available for people affected by prostate cancer here at ACS, including access to all of our core services, a monthly prostate cancer peer group, the 6 week Living Well course that Alasdair mentions, and a brilliant 12 week exercise programme delivered by partnership between Prostate Scotland and the SPFL Trust at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock. For more information, see www.spfltrust.org.uk/prostateffit

Our Children and Young People Service is delighted to have received funding from The Outdoor Partnership Ayrshire to run an Easter activity group for young people aged 7+ that have been affected by, or bereaved from cancer. The group will take place on Thursday 11 ^th April from 10:45 until 2pm at Newmilns Snow and Sports Complex and includes: 1 hour of tubing, a 1 hour ski lesson, and lunch. Spaces are limited so email cyp@ayrshirecs.org or call 01563 538008 to secure your spot!

Gardening for Wellbeing

Are you affected by cancer and do you find gardening therapeutic? Alongside all of our core services, groups, courses and workshops, we’re partnering with Scottish charity Trellis to run gardening for wellbeing workshops in our Kilmarnock Centre.

Following the success of our Christmas Wreath Making workshops in December, we will run 4 workshops this year, in line with the seasons, and our Spring session will focus on "Edible Flowers and Quick Crops Seed Sowing." There are 10 spaces for this workshop on Tuesday 9 ^TH April 10am-12pm, and if you would like to attend, email us at admin@ayrshirecs.org , drop in, or give us a call.

If you can’t attend this one, or want to plan ahead for future sessions, you can find further details below:

Summer: Simple Summer Baskets - 4th June.

Autumn: Bulb Lasagne 17th September.

Winter: Easy Christmas Decorations - 26th November.

As well as the generous support from our local communities and businesses, we rely on funding from grant making organisations to meet our income targets each year.

In 2022, The Robertson Trust awarded Ayrshire Cancer Support £75,000 to support the delivery of our Children and Young Persons service for a period of 3 years. The final installment of this grant funding will be received in May and will contribute to the overall costs of meeting demand for this vital service during the year ahead.

We are very grateful for the continued support of the Robertson Trust which allows us to ensure that we can continue to deliver a range of support services and outreach activities for children and young people whose lives have been affected by cancer.

Share your views

Macmillan Cancer Support is keen to assess the variety of psychological support currently available for people affected by cancer across Scotland. They have developed this short survey to ask your views, as either a patient or as a family member/friend of someone with cancer.

The survey will be available from 22/03/2024 and will close on 03/05/2024.

Please access the survey via this QR code or alternatively via this link:

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/6SY11H/

Investing in our Volunteers

Ayrshire Cancer Support is delighted to have received confirmation that we have achieved the Investing in Volunteers (IiV) Award.

IiV is the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management and publicly demonstrates our commitment to our volunteers and to the standard of volunteer management we offer.

Ayrshire Cancer Support would not be able to provide the full range of services we do without our fantastic team of over 200 volunteers and we thank each and every one of them for their hard work, dedication and commitment.

Would you like to join our team of dedicated volunteers? We have a range of opportunities from a few hours to five days a week and everything in between. To find out more click the button below.

While our exciting new Ayr Centre is being renovated, our adult services in Ayr will be delivered from the Kyle Chemotherapy Unit at Ailsa Campus. The room there will be used for counselling, complementary therapies, and cancer support specialist appointments. We want to thank the oncology staff at the Kyle for being both extremely welcoming to our staff and clients, and also for getting on board with our Wear It Yellow campaign that ran throughout March!

Running Challenges

Elizabeth completed the Tokyo marathon in March with a personal best. A fantastic achievement in both running and fundraising. Volunteer Andy is off to Manchester to take part in the marathon this month.

With marathon’s all over the world...could this be you next year?

Kiltwalk 2024

Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh Kiltwalk.

The Glasgow Kiltwalk may be sold out however, there are still three other Kiltwalks you can join. Have the best day walking alongside hundreds of supporters from charities all over Scotland whilst raising funds for us.

�� https://thekiltwalk.co.uk/events/aberdeen

�� h ttps://thekiltwalk.co.uk/events/dundee

�� https://thekiltwalk.co.uk/events/edinburgh

Roon the Toon

Sunday 9 ^th June is Kilmarnock’s 10k…... Join the team from The Galleon Centre and go roon the toon with your ACS t-shirt on!

Tough Mudder

Drumlanrig Castle, Thornhill, Dumfries, Saturday 15 ^th June. Challenge your team to a 10k or 15k mud run full of crazy obstacles – is there a better way to team build

Colour Dash sponsored by KVN Contracts Ltd. and Urquharts Opticians

Eglinton Park, Irvine on Sunday 23rd June. Walk, run or skip your way around for Ayrshire’s most colourful 5k fundraising event. In conjunction with our friends from The Ayrshire Hospice. This is one colourful event not to be missed! More information here �� https://www.ayrshirehospice.org/Event/colour-dash

Three Peaks Challenge

Can you take on the challenge of climbing the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales.

More information here �� https://www.threepeakschallenge.uk/national-three-peaks-challenge/

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On World Cancer Day, Tamara Campbell tells her story about living with cancer.

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 11:33:28 GMT

Tamara Campbell knew she had cancer. She knew long before having it confirmed by specialists.

“I just couldn’t deal with the thought of it. My mum was in Palliative Care - suffering from Stage 4 Breast Cancer back in Australia. I couldn’t fly home to say goodbye to her because of the travel restrictions due to COVID.”

Tamara first felt the lump in her lower abdomen in November 2019. She put it to the back of her mind, because her mum was becoming increasingly ill and sadly passed away after a 20 year battle with the disease in February 2020. Tamara visited her GP in the middle of March, and two weeks later, she met with the specialists.

Tamara had a biopsy and CT scan, where they discovered she had an ovarian cyst with a mass measuring 10cm x 11cm. She had a full hysterectomy at Crosshouse hospital to remove the tumour on May 28th of this year;

“I woke up from the anaesthetic feeling very groggy and out of it - and heard the cheering going on outside my windows and in all the wards. It was a momentous occasion, as the nurses were celebrating the final Thursday night clap for the NHS staff. I was in a lot of pain and full of drugs - but it was a moment I will never forget - I was just grateful to be alive.”

Tamara underwent chemotherapy treatment at the Beatson Hospital, and used Ayrshire Cancer Support Transport Service to travel to every appointment. “The drivers, the whole service, was amazing from start to finish. I just phoned up with all my dates and they organised it all. I didn’t have to worry about anything during COVID - I was really well looked after by the drivers and staff.”

The nurses at the Beatson were also fantastic. It was a strange experience; all the nurses were head to toe in PPE. The chairs were spaced far apart and there were only four patients allowed in each bay. The nurses were still jovial under their plastic visors and masks, but I felt really sorry for them.”

Tamara is now feeling better than ever, but still has some down days, “I feel I haven’t grieved for my mum properly, I haven’t had time to mourn her loss. In normal circumstances, I would have gone to Australia to be with my family. Instead I have been facing my own battle with this terrible disease.

“Some days I feel really positive about my future, and other days I am convinced it’s going to come back again.”

For now Tamara is living in the moment, taking every day as it comes. She’s concentrating on building her own business up and her family. “It’s all about enjoying the time I have left. I don’t dwell on what I have been through or what I have to do to get by. I’m a different person now, my cancer has changed me. But hopefully for the better!”

Give as you Live Online

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 11:53:44 GMT

Want to help us raise even more for FREE? Well, now you can just by shopping via Give as you Live Online!

When you shop at over 4,000 top stores including John Lewis & Partners, Expedia and Marks & Spencer via Give as you Live Online, they'll turn a percentage of your spend into free funds for us!

Simply sign up, search for the retailer and start shopping. It's that simple!

Calling all Co-op Members!

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 11:40:39 GMT

We’re delighted that Ayrshire Cancer Support has been chosen to benefit from the Co-op Local Community Fund!

At a time when funds for community groups and charitable organisations are becoming more difficult to access, we’re incredibly grateful for this opportunity to make a real difference all over Ayrshire.

To help us raise vital funds, we’ll be relying on Co-op Members. When a member buys selected branded products and services, the Co-op will give a helping hand to local causes like ours.

Co-op members can select us as their local cause by visiting membership.coop.co.uk/causes/48648

The more members that select our cause and shop with Co-op, the more funding we will receive! If you are not already a member, you can join online at coop.co.uk/membership or by downloading the Co-op app.

We really hope that you will select us as your local cause!

Don’t miss out on Ayrshire Cancer Support’s FIRST EVER Virtual Santa Dash 2020

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 11:44:48 GMT

One of this year’s participants, Fred Dinning from Dunlop, has volunteered with Ayrshire Cancer Support for a number of years in multip le roles at ACS’s outdoor events.

Fred has participated in every Ayrshire Cancer Support’s Santa Dash to date and rather than miss out in 2020 he intends to run locally on quiet roads near his home outside Dunlop, as well as making his usual donation to ACS. His wife, Liz, has also completed the Santa Dash on several occasions and will be joining him.

Fred said “Every year I take part in ACS's Santa Dash and was saddened to hear this year's event was cancelled due to COVID19. Getting into our Santa suits and into the Christmas spirit is what it's all about! When I heard they were hosting the first virtual Santa Dash all across Ayrshire I thought this was a great way to keep the tradition going. Me and Liz want to continue making a big difference to cancer patients and families locally and signing up and making a donation is a way of doing this” .

Thanks Fred and Liz for your continued support!!

You too can take part in ACS’s first ever Virtual Santa Dash anywhere in Ayrshire. You could opt for a mile, push yourself for a half marathon or settle for something in between. Do it in last year’s Santa Suit or purchase your own brand new one from us, and earn the official Santa Dash Medal!

BREAKING NEWS

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 14:08:33 GMT

Jai McDowall (Britain's Got Talent) and Blair Gilmour (The Voice Kids UK) get behind Ayrshire Cancer Support’s Fundraising Hero campaign!

With a fundraising focus on DIY and virtual events due to COVID 19 restrictions, we have created a free 24-page fundraising guide which is packed full of ideas, hints and tips to help our supporters become fantastic fundraising heroes! We are asking you to create your own DIY events in aid of Ayrshire Cancer Support and help raise funds for Ayrshire’s leading cancer support charity.

Alongside Jai and Blair at today’s photoshoot are some of this year’s fantastic DIY fundraisers, including:

Ria Kerr from Kilmarnock who raised £830 by organising her own walk.
Liz Keohone and Sally Hamilton from Hurlford and Darvel who raised a whopping £10,280 by organizing their own golfing challenge.
2008’s Ayr Boswell team who raised an impressive £6,185 by virtually running between English Premier League stadiums.
George Dunlop from Troon who raised over £800 by getting on his bike and cycling round the North East of Scotland.
TCS, one of our charity corporate partners who raised £3,363 by taking part in the Kiltwalk Virtual Weekend by choosing their own route and walking 15 miles.

Martin Quigley, Corporate and Community Fundraising Manager for Ayrshire Cancer Support said, “With the majority of our 2020 fundraising events cancelled due to COVID-19 it’s had a devastating effect on our community income. We are asking our community to help us raise urgently needed funds so that we can continue to help thousands of local people affected by cancer. Our brochure is packed full of fun ideas, hints and tips to help you become a fantastic fundraiser and reach your fundraising targets. We are always in awe at the amount of hard work that goes into fundraising from our supporters in the community - we need to raise around £2,500 every day to help deliver our free daily services. We provide over 12,000 free patient transport journeys to hospital appointments and deliver around 6,000 free therapeutic appointments each year. Like many others this hasn't been a normal year for us - we urgently need these services on our doorstep and by organising your own event in aid of Ayrshire Cancer Support you are ensuring your money stays locally and will make a big difference to people who live here in Ayrshire”.

Sign up today and we'll send you out a FULL fundraising pack including our new brochure with lots of fundraising materials!

e: fundraising@ayrshirecs.org ; t: 01563 475025

You can also download our new brochure from our website.

#DIYforACS #NewBrochur e

Coronavirus and cancer

Fri, 06 Mar 2020 10:41:01 GMT

As you will be aware, there is currently a great deal of media focus on the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

There is, however, currently limited advice for people with cancer, their families and friends. The key message seems to be that the risk of developing coronavirus is still low in comparison to seasonal influenza, which is more likely to be the cause of the symptoms described.

The symptoms of coronavirus are:

a high temperature
a cough
shortness of breath

But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

There are a few points to think about:

wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
always wash your hands when you get home or into work
use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Don't

do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

If you haven't had a flu vaccine injection, check with your GP/hospital team whether you should/can have one, as that is more of a risk, currently, than coronavirus.

If you develop symptoms that you are concerned about, contact NHS 111 and let them know you're having cancer treatment, or that you are caring for someone with cancer. Gov.UK and NHS websites have helpful information.

There is also a brief You Tube video '4 things patients with cancer should know about coronavirus 2019' .

Kind Regards,

Sandra McCall

Chief Executive Officer

Introducing the Psychological Therapies and Support Framework for People Affected by Cancer

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 14:42:11 GMT

Psychological Therapies and Support Framework Newsletter

For many cancer is increasingly becoming a long-term condition rather than a terminal illness - many people recover sufficiently to be able to pick up their old lives again, therefore a focus on health and wellbeing is crucial.

Emotional effects are a normal part of the cancer pathway and early identification and intervention can prevent problems from escalating. As such, people should be able to easily access appropriate supportive and psychological care, which forms a normal part of the overall care package.

To support early intervention and ensure appropriate care and support is available, partners from across the West of Scotland have developed the Psychological Therapies and Support Framework for People affected by Cancer.

Ayr Hospital Theatre Staff Support Ayrshire Cancer Charity

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 10:43:35 GMT

Ayr Hospital Theatre Staff have got behind Ayrshire Cancer Support, by organising fundraising activities to help fund the vital work the charity delivers to help people affected by cancer.

Laura Brown, Income and Marketing Manager for Ayrshire’s leading cancer charity said, ‘We are thrilled to have the support of Ayr Hospital Theatre Staff. It’s fantastic that they appreciate the work that we do helping to transport patients to hospital for life saving treatment. The charity not only helps to ease the burden on the NHS, by ensuring people access their appointments on time at the earliest opportunity, but we also provide important support during and after treatment. The funds raised by Ayr Hospital Theatre Staff will go towards providing a new therapy bed for our patients undergoing a range of complimentary therapies.’

The team at Ayr Hospital are seen presenting Laura Brown from Ayrshire Cancer Support with a cheque for £600.

Racecourse Helps Home4Cancer with Donation

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Ayrshire Cancer Support presented a cheque for £18,500 by Ayr Racecourse

On World Cancer Day (4th February) Ayrshire’s leading cancer charity, Ayrshire Cancer Support were presented with a cheque for £18,500 by Ayr Racecourse and Western House. The funds were raised by staff and customers of Ayr Racecourse and Western House and have been pledged to support the charity’s new fundraising drive, #Home4Cancer, to create a bright and welcoming new cancer centre in Ayr, which offers people affected by cancer a range of free cancer specific services to help them cope with a cancer diagnosis.

David Brown, Managing Director of Ayr Racecourse said, "We are delighted to be able to kick off Ayrshire Cancer Support’s drive to create a new cancer centre. We have been working to raise funds for the charity in 2018 and will continue to do so in 2019. With one in two people now being diagnosed with cancer – we were keen to support a charity that works locally on behalf of the people across Ayrshire. We are looking forward to helping raise awareness of the work they do throughout the course of 2019."

Laura Brown, Income Manager at Ayrshire Cancer Support said, "The Racecourse have really pulled out all the stops and have been very active in helping to raise funds for us in 2018. Their staff have been involved in events like the Kilt Walk and they have also provided great opportunities for us to attend their hugely popular Race Days. It’s great to see that our plans for a new cancer centre to replace our existing one are supported by local business and that the Racecourse are so quick off the mark to give back to the local community. We can’t thank the racegoers, customers and staff enough."

To access the charity’s free services, currently based in Wellington Square, Ayr, or to help raise funds, telephone 01563 538008

Ayrshire Cancer Support launch #Home4Cancer

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Fundraising drive to sustain local lifeline for those affected by cancer

A charity that provides a lifeline for local people affected by cancer has launched a £750,000 fundraising campaign to create a centre offering free life-saving care after announcing that its current facility will close.

Ayrshire Cancer Support has initiated the appeal as its current centre in Ayr’s Wellington Square was deemed no longer fit for purpose as local demands grows for free cancer-related services.

The centre is used by patients throughout South Ayrshire and parts of East Ayrshire undergoing treatment for cancer, and offers a range of life saving and palliative support services – all completely free. An improved facility could be based on the charity’s successful centre in Kilmarnock.

In a review of their facilities, Ayrshire Cancer Support identified a number of necessary improvements to the current centre, including better wheelchair access, improvements to therapy rooms, and easier on-street parking for users. Following a break-in to the premises last year, the police security liaison team advised of several modifications that would prove costly for the charity to implement.

Sandra McCall, Ayrshire Cancer Support CEO, said: “Three years ago, we created our new space in Kilmarnock, which boasts a drop-in centre, counselling and therapy rooms and our transport hub. Circumstances have dictated that we either close our operations in Ayr or look to find funding to create a beautiful new home which is as welcoming as our new Kilmarnock centre. I’m sure our presence would sorely be missed but I am confident the public will get behind us and help to organise fundraising events to help make our dream a reality. Almost everyone has been touched by cancer in one way or another.”

The Wellington Square facility has been placed on the market at offers over £100,000. Proceeds from the sale of the building will be directed towards the purchase of a new, accessible, bright and friendly support centre in or around Ayr. It is estimated that a sum in the region of £750,000 will be required to purchase and adapt a suitable building.

An online fundraising page has been set up at https://www.gofundme.com/fund-new-ayrshire-cancer-support-home Anyone interested in helping to fundraise to save Ayr’s Cancer Centre should contact the fundraising team on 01292 269888.

Sandra McCall continued: “We are literally a lifeline to many Ayrshire people who have been diagnosed with cancer or are dealing with the effects of a cancer diagnosis on someone they care for. We are the only charity that operates across the whole of Ayrshire that provides transport to hospital treatment for someone with a diagnosis. Without this service many people would not be able to travel to hospital – usually in Glasgow, and would not get access to treatment that saves or prolongs their lives. We undertake around 15,000 journeys every year. People mistakenly believe the ambulance transport service would transport patients to hospital – but this is not usually the case. Similarly, there is no other charity that provides face-to-face confidential counselling with fully trained-counsellors – the NHS currently have a waiting list of over 18 months to access this service. We can provide the necessary care for people who are struggling to cope with a diagnosis or are recently bereaved. Our therapists also offer relief from cancer symptoms and its treatment through complementary therapies. We work very closely with NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and provide services in Ayr Hospital oncology wards. Despite trying, we receive no Government or NHS funding to run our centres – so it’s up to us to continue to raise the funds to ensure the people of South Ayrshire and the surrounding area with cancer have the best possible opportunity of a positive outcome.”

Santa Extravaganza – Sunday, 18 November 2018

Fri, 05 Oct 2018 10:43:00 GMT

Join us for Ayr’s Xmas Light Switch On! For the first time ever our Santa Extravaganza at Ayr Central features 3 fabulous events to choose from!

The traditional Santa Dash is our annual 5K run around Ayr town centre. This year we have introduced a Santa Stroll (1.5K) for little legs and older, tired legs!

To kick off the SantaSpectacle we are inviting everyone to take part in a SantaZumbathon with the one & only Zumba Queen Jacqueline Miller – how well can you shake your booty in a Santa suit?!

Prices:

Santa Zumba – £10.00 (unless taking part in the Dash or Stroll)

Santa Dash – £15.00 per adult £8.00 per child. Under 5’s free.

Santa Stroll – £10.00 per adult £6.00 per child. Under 5’s free.

Killieween – Kilmarnock Halloween Running Festival – 28th Oct

Wed, 26 Sep 2018 14:35:00 GMT

Join us in Kilmarnock on Sunday 28th October for this celebration of Running and Halloween with 3 great, unique events. Proceeds from all events go to Ayrshire Cancer Support. Sign up here

Ayrshire Cancer Support nominated charity partner for Ayr Racecourse

Thu, 03 May 2018 17:04:00 GMT

Ayrshire Cancer Support has been announced as the nominated charity partner for Ayr Racecourse and Western House.

The partnership will run for two years and during that time in addition to assisting in fund raising events the Racecourse and Western House will aim to heighten the public profile of the Ayrshire wide charity.

Sandra McCall, CEO of Ayrshire Cancer Support said : “I am thrilled to have Ayr Racecourse as our latest charity partner. Ayrshire Cancer Support relies on partnerships like this to fund our life saving work in Ayrshire. It’s an honour to work alongside such prestigious businesses like Ayr Racecourse and our team are looking forward to engaging in this really exciting partnership.”

David Brown, Managing Director of Ayr Racecourse and Western House added : “I am delighted to announce this partnership which I am sure will help Ayrshire Cancer Support with fundraising and also raise the profile of what is a much valued life-saving charity.

“Right across Ayrshire they carry out endless work helping cancer sufferers and their families and I am honoured the team at Ayr Racecourse and Western House will be working alongside this invaluable charity.”

Ayrshire Cancer Support offer as range of services throughout the district and has grown considerably since being founded in 1982.

The charity now has 45 volunteer drivers operating out of the two centres in Ayr and Kilmarnock.

This second to none patient transport service provides free transport to people undergoing cancer treatment and attending hospital appointments with the high percentage of the journeys being made to the Beatson Hospital in Glasgow.

An incredible 600,000 miles a year are driven by Ayrshire Cancer Support volunteers in carrying out this service. The charity employs 15 members of staff as well in addition to a team of more than 320 volunteers.

The vast amount of work carried out by the charity also includes providing face to face free counselling for cancer patients and their families at both the Ayr and Kilmarnock centres and Ayrshire Cancer Support also provide a range of complementary therapies which help to relieve the symptoms of cancer.

Issued by Iain Ferguson on behalf of Ayr Racecourse and Western House. For further information please contact Iain Ferguson on 01292-294972 or 07795-565691.

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