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SOUTH Ayrshire council have pledged support to help thousands of school children during the coronavirus lockdown.

A team of council volunteers are helping deliver thousands of free meals, whilst an effort is underway to support childcare needs for critical key workers on the frontline.

Around 2,000 free school meals have been delivered to ensure children don’t go hungry.

And 300 applications have approved from parents to ensure their child is looked after across various hubs in Troon, Prestwick, Ayr North, Ayr South, Annbank and Mossblown.

The hubs – a selection of primary schools and nursery’s will open Monday to Friday from 8am-6pm, with the service continuing throughout the Easter Holidays.

It comes as kids across South Ayrshire have been left without essential meals each day, after schools were closed due to the spread of Covid-19.

A spokesperson for South Ayrshire Council said: “With schools temporarily closed for the foreseeable future, Council volunteers have been driving the length and breadth of South Ayrshire to ensure children and young people don’t go hungry.

“For some children, a school meal can be their main meal of the day, so with health and wellbeing in mind, the Council is keen they don’t miss out.

“The Council already ensures that access to free school meals continues during the holidays, but with social isolation in place, dedicated staff are now going that extra mile to deliver this vital service.

“The volunteers will continue to deliver on weekdays and over the Easter break, as well as public holidays.

“In addition to delivering free school meals, the Council has approved nearly 300 applications for childcare for children of parents who are both critical key workers.”

The following hubs will take care of children whose parents are keyworkers.

Troon – Granny Smith’s; School’s Out Prestwick – Fly High Monkton; Monkton Primary School Ayr North – Cherry Tree Early Years Centre/ Dalmilling Primary; Kirktonholme - Owl and the Pussy Cat Ayr South – Busy Bees; Forehill Primary and Early Years Centre; Rosemary Logie Annbank and Mossblown – The Meadows Girvan – Girvan Early Years Centre

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