Prestwick charity is given a boost

Jun 15 2012 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

MALCOLM Sargent House has been handed in another welcome financial boost.

The children's cancer charity based in Prestwick were the victims of a cruel theft in January earlier this year when heartless thieves stole lead from their roof

And only two weeks later the ceiling in the playroom collapsed.

However, now the re-building work has began in earnest thanks to some generous local companies many of whom provided their services free of charge.

When the theft occurred in January, May Gilchrist, the fundraising manager for the centre was contacted by Dick Robison, Construction director at Prestwick construction firm Ashleigh.

His firm agreed to monoblock the area that had been made muddy when the charity’s garage came down in the stormy weather.

Robison enlisted the help of other firms who showed incredible generosity when lending their services.

Dalrymple engineering firm JJL Groundworks helped Ashleigh with the monoblocking work for free of charge.

Renowned firms Jewsons and Marshalls also helped out by supplying paviors.

May Gilchrist also wished to express her gratitude towards skip hire group Nicholson's who provided a skip for FIVE months without asking Sargent House for a penny.

She also gave thanks to Kenny Blair for designing a beautiful security gate.

The work done would have cost the charity £6,000 if they had to fork out for it themselves and May is delighted that the monoblocked area is now completed.

She said: “This has really transformed an area that was totally underused and it will now be fitted with tables and sun loungers for our families”.