Protest to save Malcolm Sargent House to take place this weekend
After news broke earlier this month of Malcolm Sargent House's impending closure kind hearted locals have stepped up to raise money and campaign to keep it open.
After news broke earlier this month of Malcolm Sargent House's impending closure kind hearted locals have stepped up to raise money and campaign to keep it open.
Those efforts will continute this weekend as a peaceful protest is staged in Prestwick on Sunday - it'll start from the Ambassador Bowling Club at 12.30.
The club will be open from 10.30am for refreshments and there will be toilet facilities - there's more details .
The protest has been oragnised by volunteers from Malcolm Sargent House and there will be talks from them on the day to update concerned locals on the progress of the campaign to save it.
However, bosses at the ill-fated holiday retreat for young cancer patients told us last week us that although they are delighted by the outpouring of support but they would not encourage people raise money to keep it open until a decision has been made on the properties future.
Clic Sargent's Chief Executive Kate Lee released a statement and spoke to our reporter Natalie Crawford after they revealed at the start of the month they could not afford to keep Malcolm Sargent House in business any longer and that it would shut down after a consultation on the plans.
Big hearted locals rallied round and have been collecting cash and a petition has also gathered more than 10,000 signatures but fundraisers are being encouraged to seek legal advice from the Charity Commission.
You can listen to the full interview here:
One of those fundraisers is Ayr man Nick McCann.
Nick and his friends plan to put on a concert at Ayr Rugby Club on 30th July - with all proceeds going to save the retreat - which costs £500,000 to run each year.
Nick McCann spoke to our reporter Vicky Murray...
The plans are being backed by volunteer Eileen Granger who has an MBE for raising around £350,000 pounds for the charity.
She started working at the seaside retreat after a holiday of her own - her son Ross was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 and her family spent a week there after he has completed his treatment.
She spoke to our reporter Natalie Crawford...