Major Projects
The Rotary Club of Ayr have initiated the Newton Primary Shred Skatepark Project, which allows many children from Newton Primary School to collectively enjoy the benefits from their scootering experience at Ayr’s Shred Skatepark. The project, which is sponsored and facilitated by the Rotary Club, is proving to be a great success due to the excellent collaboration between Newton Primary School and Shred Skatepark. Such collaborative involvement and commitment are helping to empower and enable all parties to deliver this project in a sustainable manner.
For more information and photos Initial Report in March 2023
The ‘Ayrshire Alps’ is a wonderful area of road cycling over the quiet hill roads of South Carrick in South Ayrshire. The Challenge is a charity cycling event which the club organises every year in partnership with Malawi Fruits, a charity which helps subsistence farmers in Malawi to build sustainable community businesses. Starting and finishing at Turnberry on a Saturday in June the event attracts a few hundred cyclists keen to test themselves over gruelling courses of spectacular hills and sweeping descents. Club members enjoy themselves providing the manpower for marshalling and feed stations, not to mention the home baking and refreshments ,and substantial funds are raised for both Malawi Fruits and Ayr Rotary’s Benevolent Fund. Have a look at the report on the most recent event.
Each year in the 2 week run up to Christmas, the club organises and erects a Christmas tree to be decked with yellow ribbons on Ayr High Street to raise funds for the Ayr Hospice, Ayr Cancer Support and Whiteleys Retreat. The concept is that shoppers and passers-by can post a yellow ribbon with their own handwritten message to remember a loved one on the tree ,and make a donation of their choice to support these 3 local charities. Hugely successful in the last 2 years raising considerable funds, our members together with helpers from other local organisations man the tree to post the ribbons and collect donations. A memorable and sometimes humbling and tearjerking experience for all. More information
The Rotary Clubs of Girvan, Alloway, Ayr, Prestwick, and Troon hold their Annual Beach Clean – in conjunction with South Ayrshire Council, as part of the Keep Scotland Beautiful campaign. Hundreds of bags full of discarded litter are collected every year. A perfect Rotary project where many volunteers are needed under strong leadership. Ayr club take the lead role. More details>>
We have run a Charity Golf Day for over 25 years, raising more than £150,000 for local charities. It is held at Belleisle Golf Course in May, with a stableford format. Teams of four players (men and/or women) compete for substantial prizes on a handicap basis. There is also a raffle with many prizes worth over £500 each.
This is a great way for businesses to promote themselves, perhaps take clients for a day out and at the same time give something back to the community. Full details from Charlie Steele 07880 554614
The Message in a Bottle initiative is an emergency information scheme that is provided free of charge by the Rotary Clubs of Alloway, Ayr, Girvan, Prestwick and Troon, and the Ayr & Prestwick Lions Club. The scheme is fully supported by the new South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership together with key partners such as the Community Safety Partnership, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Scottish Ambulance Service and Voluntary Action South Ayrshire. Contact Neil Beattie 01292-610919 Read More>>
Water Purification
In autumn 2016, we have embarked on a new project, supporting Aquabox, which provides drinking water to disaster-hit areas, around the world. Water is frequently contaminated and unfit to drink in a disaster area. A lack of sanitation creates an ideal breeding-ground for water-borne disease. Cholera and typhoid are the most virulent of these but they are not the whole story. Often the problem can be a simple infection causing diarrhoea and leading to dehydration, particularly in the very young Read More>>
Since 2010,the club has organised the Poppy Appeal in Ayr for Poppy Scotland. Over 500 cans and boxes of poppies are distributed to shops, businesses, colleges, churches, and hospitals across the town by both our members and helpers from other local organisations and subsequently collected in and banked by them. A major logistical exercise, the club raised in the region of £25,000 for Poppy Scotland in 2021 alone. Our members and the other helpers participate every year, get to know their patches and find the project a very rewarding experience.
Ayr Rotary are very keen to work with local schools by using our members' skills to help youngsters in a variety of organised competitions. More information
- Youth Speaks is a debating competition for secondary school children.
- Young Musician is designed to develop the musical talent, both vocalists and instrumentalists for secondary school children.
- Rotary Youth Leadership Awards programme gives young people the chance to improve leadership and communication skills, in an outdoor environment.
