Prestwick's Malcolm Sargent House will close its doors, despite fundraising efforts to keep it open.

CLIC Sargent made the announcement earlier today which comes as a massive blow for, staff, fundrasiers, South Ayrshire locals and Scotland.

The holiday home, for young cancer patients, is being closed due to cost cutting measures. 

The charity which supports Malcolm Sargent House has accommodated 359 families, run 14 breaks specialist breaks, including bereavement weeks, a break for under-fives, a young people’s break and a family teen week in 2014/15.   

In December 2015, CLIC Sargent reportedly found a number of recurring savings but a further operating saving of £600k-£800k was still needed. It was reported that the charity would need to replenish their reserves with at least £1m. 

Ceasing the holiday service is reported to generate £500k in operating and maintenance savings, year on year, while the sale of Malcolm Sargent House would be expected to provide a one-off injection of an estimated £1.5m-£1.75m.   

Kate Lee, CLIC Sargent CEO said in the statement: “This has been a very difficult decision to reach. The strength and depth of feeling expressed has been immense and I know this final decision will be received with the same degree of sadness. 

“Your views are really important to us and we have listened. We’ve been clear throughout this process that we would look at any alternative proposals that met the scale of savings we needed in the timeframe required.  

“During the consultation, we’ve been in on-going talks with a local consortium which expressed an interest in taking on the house and running a similar holiday service. We have been really impressed with the passion and commitment of this group but understand they need a little longer to register their organisation, raise funds and develop an operating plan. 

“Unfortunately this is longer than CLIC Sargent’s finances will allow if we are going to protect our core services offered across Scotland and beyond. 

“However, the Board has also agreed that, in order to give the local consortium more time, CLIC Sargent will continue talks with the group.  

“This means we will still be putting the property on the market in due course but will also continue to work with the group, enabling them to develop suitable plans and giving them the best chance for success. 

“I would like to say a personal thank you to everyone who has been in touch with us in the last six weeks, particularly the many children, young people and parents who have expressed both sadness about the proposal but also their support and appreciation of our core health and social care support and our grants programme.  

“This has been an incredibly hard decision but essential to ensuring CLIC Sargent remains a strong organisation for Children and Young People with cancer for many more years to come.”