THREE local charities have received £2,000 from the STV Children’s Appeal.

Ardrossan Youth Association, Winton Group and SCRATCH group all received funding to support their work improving the lives of children and young people in their communities.

The Ardrossan Youth Association is a committee of local young people that manages the Ardrossan Youth Centre. It provides free trips and activities for young people.

Kiera Morris, secretary at Ardrossan Youth Association said: “The grant from STV Children’s Appeal will help us replace the very old IT equipment that will be used by everyone who comes to the youth centre. “Thanks to the appeal funding we now have all the money needed for this project.”

Winton Group near Dalry is a member of the Riding for the Disabled Association and provides riding therapy for disabled children in North Ayrshire. The project supports three special schools in the area and is run entirely by volunteers.

Christine Wright, group treasurer, said: “This wonderful donation from the STV Children’s Appeal will help fund the transport we need to bring children from one of the schools to the stables.

"It will also enable us to take children to the annual RDA regional competition in Glasgow, which is the highlight of their year – and ours.”

The SCRATCH group, run by Caley Youth Centre in Stevenson, supports young people in North Ayrshire who are socially isolated. 

The group enables young people to come together and build friendships through a common interest of gaming, computing and technology.

Gordon Cowan, community development worker at Caley Youth Centre, said: “Thanks to the STV Children’s Appeal for this grant, which will enable us to deliver a free digital festival, as well as workshops and experiences for young people who are digitally excluded or socially isolated.”