Vics in the Community were delighted this year to bring festive cheer to hundreds of struggling families in Ayr North with the provision of Christmas Day meals.
And more than 40 families were also supported with toys and gifts, courtesy of the Night Before Christmas campaign and this was a fantastic addition.
Vics is the charitable arm of Whitletts Victoria FC and was established in 2018.
As well as providing diversionary activities through its community football programme to more than 200 children per week, the charity has been actively supporting the wider community since the onset of Covid-19.
And they were aided by a number of individuals and organisations getting involved too.
The Ghillie Dhu have been long term suppliers to the charitable project with 12,500 meals now provided since April 2020.
Again, they were pleased to partner up with Vics and supplied more than 400 meals which were delivered to 127 addresses locally.
Co-owner Michael O’Neil said: “We are delighted to support the fantastic community project which recognises the true spirit of Christmas.”
Other local businesses also supported the project including the popular Home Bakery on George Street, where Gordon, Stevie and the team supplied boxes of bakery goodies which went to every address.
As always, Tesco and Morrisons also provided much valued co-operation and extra items included boxes of chocolates.
Vics co-ordinator Andrew Downie said: “We have been proud to be able to support the community in a variety of ways since the start of Covid and the largest single part was the provision of Christmas Meals. The feedback received from 2020 meant we had to repeat it this year.
“We received a 30 per cent increase in requests for this year and it could have been higher still.
“We must start by thanking our funders, the largest of which was the Arnold Clark Community Fund, our amazing team of volunteers which was more than 20 and the teams at the Ghillie Dhu, Night Before Christmas, G&S Bakers, Tesco and Morrisons.
“It means a lot to us to be able to help our community, that’s our charitable ethos and we will continue to do so in 2022.”
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
