Cash rolls in for the lifeline

An emergency project helping the elderly and vulnerable to stay safe through the coronavirus crisis has scooped nearly £ 25,000 in support.

South Ayrshire Lifeline was formed by Ayr- based charity Voluntary Action South Ayrshire ( VASA) to provide food and prescription deliveries and telephone befriending.

It has just netted £ 24,112 from The National Lottery Community Fund, Foundation Scotland and the William Grant Foundation.

Congratulating Voluntary Action South Ayrshire on their National Lottery award of £ 9528, Neil Ritch, the National Lottery Community Fund’s Scotland Director, said: “South Ayrshire Lifeline is an important project which will help people get through the crisis and a great example of how grant holders are stepping up to support their communities.”

The lottery gave the Lifeline £ 9528.

Foundation Scotland donated £ 4584 to mark the “important work the team are delivering.”

Another £ 10,000 has come from the William Grant Foundation, a non- profit association established to support charitable causes funded by Girvan distillers William Grant.

A sum of £ 7,000 is to support the work of the Lifeline with the remaining £ 3,000 to be given to small groups who are helping their communities through the crisis.

Marie Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of VASA, said: “We are hugely grateful to all three of these organisations for helping to ensure we can continue to offer practical and emotional help to elderly and vulnerable people in communities across South Ayrshire during this difficult period.

“In four weeks, 2,000 people have called our helpline. This money will help us to reach out to even more people who are struggling to cope by funding more door- to- door leaflet drops and helping to cover the staffing costs of our food delivery service.”

And Marie vowed: “South Ayrshire Lifeline will be here to offer a helping hand as long as people need us.”

If you need them call South Ayrshire Lifeline on 0800 432 0510 or see www.southayrshirelifeline.org