The objective is to create, and then manage, an inclusive community project which will create a stunning art installation within the old railway tunnel at the Brig O’ Doon, Alloway, Ayr. Our objectives include the advancement of education (community involvement in the creation of art-works and heritage films on active-travel paths); community development by engaging people of all ages; school-pupils; students; youth and older groups and other interested individuals in the creative process; the advancement of the arts, heritage and culture by engaging people’s interest in art and developing their artistic abilities; and for this particular project – bringing to life through art Ayrshire’s culture, heritage and social history, and improving the conditions of life through the creation of a multi-purpose community venue. The tunnel has been cleaned of the offending graffiti and the mural is being installed in four separate stages as funding is raised. As of April 2025 the first three stages have been completed and the mural hung with the involvement of several schools, colleges and community groups working with Thriving Communities on an outreach basis. In addition, young people are making short films which visitors to the mural can access via QR codes to see and hear the real stories being depicted on the mural.We are now seeking funding for the final stage of the mural which will include the further involvement of local schools and community groups. 

We are applying for £2,000 towards the costs of materials, primarily the plywood boards on which the artwork is painted, to allow us to complete final stage of the project.

We are hoping to set up our own football team as part of our Friday Night Drop-In and our Summer Programme Project, and develop the team further as the new school year starts. We have access to great indoor and outdoor space; but due to having lack of equipment we haven`t managed to utilise these spaces yet for more organised sport activities.

Quite a few young people visiting the Ark show great interest in football and we think it would be an exciting opportunity for them to be able to set up their own team. The proposed team name is Ark United.

We are looking to arrange personalised football kit, football agility and speed training kit, training footballs and a target net for the goal post.

We would also love to promote the love of golf amongst the children visiting us, especially with Scotland being the "birthplace" of golf. The equipment we would like to purchase would be suitable for indoor play too and also could be used outdoors.

We are looking to invest into 2 Golf indoor/outdoor putting mat, some golf putters, golf ball and a golf chipping game set ("golf darts").

As part of our Summer Holiday Programme we are looking to organise a golfing experience day and we would like to be able to provide continuity for the kids who show greater interest in the sport.

We do understand that funds are limited and we are happy to work with any funding availability and alter our project accordingly if that is an option.

We have a cabin which we would be looking to furnish with the equipment required to be a fully functioning Clubhouse. At the moment this is a shell and would require to be fully fitted out to be functional. The Clubhouse will be used for providing refreshments to the local community who come to watch our games, games are well attended. It is our intention to try and enhance the development of the club and provide further activities at the park, hopefully using the Clubhouse as a meeting and social space for players and the wider community. 

We would require:

- a kitchen/ store set up including worktops, oven, fridge-freezer, microwave, washing machine/ tumble drier, cutlery

- a social area set up - tables & chairs

- full plumbing and wiring

We rely soleley on donations and fundraising and over the past few years we have struggled with providing fred bags for older children.  We often put games into these bags as this is something which older children enjoy but we find that we dont have as many donations of these as we would like.  The funding would be to purchase as many boardgames as possible and our team of volunteers would then be able to use these for the bags for older children.

£2000 will pay for 10 refurbished bikes, to be supplied by our CGX Cycle Works as capital assets costing £200 each to be donated free of charge to individuals.  CGX Cycle Works has recently completed two successive years producing 400 refurbished bikes to issue free of charge to young people across South Ayrshire.  The Cycling Scotland recognised cost of a refurbished bike exceeds £250, with the additional costs of storing and distributing them to recipients exceeding that again, all being regarded as elements of the total capital cost to achieve the transfer of ownership of the capital asset.  During distribution of the bikes to children, many of the parents asked about the availability of free bikes so they could go on rides with their children.  We hope to meet this identified need.

We are applying for addition equipment to support new youth archers to reduce the initial costs of purchasing equipment by providing individuals an equipment library where they can borrow or try equipment prior to purchasing.  

As like many sports initially equipment can be expensive and very personal.  By having a lending library, the club aims to gradually build up a range of equipment including different bow types, risers and limbs.  With juniors they very quickly change limb weight as they grow, by having access to a library of limbs juniors will save hundreds of pounds. The same principle works for adults however, the limbs do not change as quickly usually only in weight.  Currently, we host Come and Try events run in 4-week blocks at Riverside Sports Arena in Ayr in conjunction with Active Schools. This partnership has been in place for nearly a year now and helped neurodiverse children to engage in sport along with disabled individuals who have thought that possibly they we not able to try archery before. We host had a range of sessions including Junior only, Adult Sessions and LGBTIQ+ events each of mixed ability.

Each session has approximately 15-20 booked on and we have been full for each session, often with many returning. The club has successfully trained has two qualified instructors and we will be running beginner’s courses on a regular basis. We have had some very able juniors take up Beginners Courses from this.  

With the increase in numbers this mean we also require additional bosses (targets) this would mainly be for out outdoor facility at Annbank Community Football Club in Annbank KA6 5EF

This funding will allow us to deliver free monthly First Aid courses (adult, youth & family sessions) within Ayr South, led by a qualified instructor that we have secured to significantly reduce costs in comparison to hiring independent training providers. This funding will allow for the purchase of the equipment needed to run the courses. Each session (up to 12 participants) features hands on practice with manikins, AED simulators and realistic scenarios. The funding will allow the supply all consumable training equipment, CPR manikins, first-aid kits, protective PPE and we will invite partner charities to join free of charge, boosting inter-agency referrals and carer resilience.

Demonstrated Need & Local Impact: Our last Carers First Aid course was oversubscribed (16 places, 8-person waitlist),demonstrating strong local demand. Unpaid carers tell us they can lack emergency response confidence: first-aid skills reduce anxiety and prevent crisis escalation.Monthly training makes life saving skills accessible to carers in our area, plus family members. Partner charities (local dementia support, mental-health services) will rotate free places, enhancing referral pathways and shared learning.