The above photo has the Ayr Community Rugby Trust Chairperson Paul Davidson, handing over a check for £4,632.32 to Unity Grill’s Angela McNay. They are surrounded by other Ayr Rugby members who took part in the Kiltwalk.

During the pandemic Ayr Rugby Club teamed up with Unity Grill to help them with their fight against food poverty in the local community. So far there have been two ways Ayr Rugby has supported the Unity Grill.

The first was a group of volunteers from the club making food deliveries over the summer and Christmas holidays. During the Christmas period alone Unity Grill prepared around 180 food hampers and 50 delicious Christmas lunches for home delivery. The 40 volunteers from ARC delivered the hampers in the three days before Christmas and almost 30 of the squad returned on the 25th to deliver the hot meals in time for Christmas lunch.

The second was through the Kiltwalk, where the Ayr Community Rugby Trust linked up with Unity Grill and held a joint Kiltwalk day, with all finds raised being split 50/50 between both the Unity Grill and Ayr Community Rugby Trust.

The combined total raised on the Kiltwalk was £9,246.64. This includes the 50% top up from Sir Tom Hunter and the Hunter Foundation. With over 60 people all from different parts of the club taking part, the day started well with bright warm sunshine and clear blue skies. The walk started at Unity Grill with a coffee and roll then proceeded out along the outstanding Ayrshire coastline to Prestwick. Back to Unity Grill for a quick bite and once more along the coastline, finally heading to the club. A great day was had by everyone and it was very encouraging to see other Kiltwalkers out walking for their charities as well.

Ayr Community Rugby Trust Chairperson Paul Davidson said, “I think we can all be proud of the efforts that everyone put in for the Kiltwalk.  Thank you to all our walkers and those who supported them, as well as to The Hunter Foundation for the 50% top up! We are delighted to have teamed up with the Unity Grill and help raise funds for them to combat food poverty in our community. These are tough times and we are delighted to play a role in supporting the Unity Grill”.

Unity Grill’s Angela McNay said, “We are very grateful for the support Ayr Rugby and the Ayr Community Rugby Trust have given us. It’s been very much appreciated. Working together, we all had a great day for the Kiltwalk. Here’s hoping we can do it all again next year”.

Food poverty is a growing concern across the UK and Ayrshire is not immune to that. The numbers using the local foodbank are growing year on year. At Unity Grill they want to offer a beautiful, welcome space where the local community can come and enjoy a meal, or just a coffee together. Those profits will be used to help pay for a meal for those who cannot afford it. Unity Grill is not offering something for nothing. Those in need can volunteer an hour of their time in return for a voucher, helping to restore some of the dignity food poverty takes away.

To everyone who took part in the Kiltwalk or donated money, a massive thank-you. Your time, effort and funds are very much appreciated. Thank you.