AN AYR estate agent has stepped in to help care homes – by providing them a copy of our newspaper.

Alan Lavelle, 37, will help us to supply editions of the Ayr Advertiser to homes across Ayr, Prestwick and Troon, over the coming weeks.

The owner of Ayr Estate Agents has vowed to promote the message to stay at home during the coronavirus crisis, and as elderly residents continue to be in lockdown, he wants to give something back to the keyworkers and the people they look after.

Alan told the Advertiser: “We’re here to help and support as many people as we possibly can.

“We are actively promoting on Facebook the message for people to stay at home and support the NHS.

“Care homes are an important part of the community. It’s tough for people who are in care homes, they are in there to receive the dedicated support that they need.

“I was speaking to one of my neighbours who said his dad is in a care home living with dementia and unfortunately, he can’t go and see him.”

The Ayr property man, has been in business since 2012, and has never faced a more challenging time as home owners are unable to move into their new houses, or people waiting to move into a rental risk becoming homeless.

Alan has told how he has been helping people get into somewhere safe and secure to social distance during the lockdown.

Last week, he helped a man who had nowhere else to go, with access to a flat agreed by the landlord.

Alan said: “It is good to help, there can be a stigma attached to estate agents, that the values are not there. For the vast majority of us, we’re there to provide a service which people need especially in times like this.”

Alan, who stays in Mossblown with his wife Kerry, 36 and three children Ashton, 9, Amelia, 10 and Josh 14 has been inspired by the community response in Ayr.

He said: “Without a doubt Ayr has really come together, it’s really encouraging, offering help and support through various means, food deliveries for those who need it, even if they need someone to talk to over the phone. I’m happy to do my bit to help.”

All of our delivery drivers will practice proper social distancing and take all precautions when delivering our newspapers.

If your care facility would like to be involved in our campaign to ensure the vulnerable get the news they deserve, please email us on editorial@ayradvertiser.co.uk.

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Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We're not exaggerating when we say that the future of the Ayr Advertiser, and the vital local news service we've provided since 1803, is under threat.

Please consider supporting the Ayr Advertiser in whatever way you can – by paying just 90p for a copy of the paper, when you're shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others, or by subscribing to our e-edition here.

Thanks – and stay safe.