A SUMMER pilot in Ayr North and Girvan has provided more than 7,000 meals for children over the school holidays.

The project, which was brought forward at a council meeting before the summer holidays began, was paid for by £10,000 from South Ayrshire Council’s allocation of funds from the Scottish Procurement Alliance via the Lintel Trust, a £1,000 donation from Ross Electricals, and from in-house support.

In Ayr North, volunteers helped to provide 5,000 healthy packed lunches for children and young people taking part in a range of activities provided though the council’s summer activity programme.

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In Girvan, the Council’s catering staff provided 2,500 healthy packed lunches to children and young people taking part in activities organised by the Glendoune Community Association and Girvan Youth Trust.

Donations of rolls, fruit, healthy snacks and bottled water were made to the programme by food suppliers used by the council - Fergusons Bakers, Brakes, and George Carruthers Glasgow.

Activities that the children took part in, included; art, archery, beach activity sessions, climbing, cycling, fishing, football, golf, skating, swimming, and tennis.

Councillor Douglas Campbell, leader of South Ayrshire Council, said: “Thousands of meals have been provided as part of a programme that removes a pressure for many families during the holidays by providing fun and healthy activities, combined with a healthy and nutritious lunch so children were safe, active and fed.

“Our staff and our partners have worked tirelessly to make the lunches every day which have been distributed at activities right through the summer, with this great team effort making a real difference to hundreds of people.”

Bill Logan, project manager at the Girvan Youth Trust said: “The feedback from parents and the daily distribution and uptake of 80 lunches every day demonstrates the need and impact the initiative has had.

“The success of this project is also testimony to the commitment of all local community partners and volunteers. We’d be proud to continue this partnership in future.”

The South Ayrshire Council project was run in partnership with Lochside Mission, the Glendoune Community Association, Girvan Youth Trust, Voluntary Action South Ayrshire, and Ayrshire Housing.

A report outlining the impact and the success of the project is scheduled to go before councillors next month.