AN amazing prize of a family trip to Florida has been put up for grabs by an Ayrshire travel agent- open to anyone who donates £5 to help needy families this Christmas.

The fundraising masterstroke is the result of a pair-up by the charity Cash for K ids and K ilwinning-based Thorne Travel.

The prize will have the winner and their family depart from Glasgow on October 21 and stay in Orlando for seven days.

The holiday competition is only one of a series of drives the charity is doing a he ad of its bus ies t campaign season of the year.

The hard-working team at the charity want to get the word out that they are based in Prestwick. They would love to receive any donations to their new home at Ladykirk House, Ladykirk Business Park, 11 Skye Road Prestwick, KA9 2TA.

On Thursday the charity benefitted from a collection at the North Ayrshire Community Sports Awards, run by the Ayr Advertiser Series’ sister titles. Fundraiser Lynne Bennett, who presented an award on the night, said she expected the total collected to be nearly £790.

Then on Friday, it was the turn of The “Big Swim” at New Cumnock swimming pool. This saw two staff, five Ambassadors of Cash for Kids and three of the charity’s volunteers take part, swimming 100 lengths - and dressed up for their outdoor chilly dip.

Mission Christmas will launch on Monday November 12 at The Carlton In Prestwick - with a big push on for businesses throughout Ayrshire to get on board in raising funds, donating toys, acting as a drop-off point - or even getting involved in the Christmas Jumper Day on December 6.

West FM presenters normally go out and visit three businesses in South, East and North Ayrshire on the day and they want more firms to get into the festive spirit, while helping a worthy cause at the same time.

The Christmas lunch is then on Friday, December 7 at Ayr Racecourse, with the main act that day being ABC.