Public vote on Prestwick £ 15k pot

Community groups in Prestwick are celebrating after a fresh funding boost.

Around 100 people from the town took part in an event encouraging people to get actively involved in local decision making with a £ 15,000 fund up for grabs.

Groups pitched to an audience of local people and told how it would benefit the community.

After hearing the pitches, the audience voted to fully fund 21 of the groups for up to £ 750 with four runners- up being awarded £ 155 each.

Councillor Rita Miller said: “Every single one of the groups involved are passionate about putting something back into their communities and I’d like to thank all of them for taking the time to get involved.

“By giving people the power to prioritise the projects that they want to see developed the new participator y budget approach is already helping to make a real difference across South Ayrshire.

“In the last five months more than 100 groups have benefitted from funding secured through community backing, while the events have also helped to grow local networks which could help to shape joint project in the future.”

Among the projects to benefit are Lingo Flamingo, which will run a 10- week language project for care home residents living with Alzheimer’s, their carers, friends and family, and the Kyle Stroke Group, whose members will benefit from art, exercise and relaxation classes.

Big attendance Around 100 people turned out to lend their support to the Prestwick and Villages decision day

Big award Little Voices Big Sound were one of the groups to secure fresh funding at the event

The way to go The Way Forward were just one of the groups to secure fresh funding

Cheer we go The winning groups from the Prestwick and Villages Decides event

Celebrations Community spirit was out in force for the decision day