The Ayrshire Music Festival’s solo piping competition has been chosen to receive funding from the Rotary Club of Hunterston through its Community Awards Programme.

Accepting a cheque for £200, from Hunterston Rotary president Alex Blair this week, applicant Gerard McClumpha – the lead piper of the Caledonian Piping Club - explained how the funds would be used to support Ayrshire pipers.

He said: “We are concentrating all our efforts on helping young pipers achieve great things in all they do.”

Four young pipers from the group, representing Ardrossan Academy, recently took third place in the Scottish Schools Championships in Kilmarnock.

Gerard added: “This was an amazing achievement. Events like these recent championships and competitions allows schools to participate, where they would normally be by-passed in favour of pipe bands. These funds from the Rotary Club of Hunterston will enhance our efforts.”

Hunterston Rotary President Alex Blair said: “As part of our Community Awards Programme, we are delighted to be able to assist with this event.

"Our CAP initiative is targeted to benefit clubs, organisations or individuals working with children, teenagers, elderly, vulnerable or disabled people in Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Stevenston, West Kilbride, Fairlie or Largs.”

Over a number of years, it has donated thousands of pounds to local organisations on a discretionary basis thereby increasing Rotary’s commitment to serving the local community.

An award of £200 is being made by the Rotary Club of Hunterston every two months during 2024.

Those seeking an application form can either go to the Club’s website at  www.hunterstonrotary.org.uk or contact Rotarian Jim Jackson on  jim.jjwk@talktalk.net or 01294 823502.