THE founder of an Ardrossan-based personal safety charity says he's "over the moon" after receiving a donation of almost £10,000 from a supermarket chain's charitable foundation.

The Scottish Centre for Personal Safety, based at the town's Barony St John Centre, provides personal safety training to vulnerable people, especially female victims of violence and abuse, people with learning disabilities, children and youths, sensory impaired people, ethnic minority groups and LGBTI groups.

In addition to this, they also offer a local point of contact for people who need advice and support that are at risk of violence.

The £9,920 grant from the Morrisons Foundation will help with this service by covering the costs of kitchen equipment at the centre’s new wellbeing cafe.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: SCPS

Alan Bell MBE, the centre's founder and executive manager, said: "We are over the moon to receive this funding from Morrisons Foundation.

"It will enable us to install vital equipment for our new wellbeing cafe which will offer a friendly, safe environment for vulnerable people, particularly those who have been abused or attacked, giving them a chance to meet new friends and to laugh again."

David Scott, a trustee of the Morrisons Foundation, said: “The support that the centre provides to vulnerable people in our community is invaluable, not only the personal safety training, but the additional care and advice offered by the charity really does make such a difference.

"That’s why I’m delighted that we’ve been able to provide this donation to help the charity to continue to offer wellbeing support at their community cafe.”

The Morrisons Foundation was set up by the supermarket giant in 2015 and awards grants for charity projects which help improve people’s lives.

Since launching, more than £40 million has been donated to more than 3,300 charities in communities across Scotland, England and Wales.