FORMER coaches from Kilwinning Sports Club have organised a charity night to raise much needed funds for the club.

The group have teamed up with staff from the club to host a Race Night and Auction at the Cranberry Moss Community Centre on Saturday March 24.

Local band Done and Dusted will be providing entertainment on the night and there will be a charity auction and raffle.

The charity night comes just weeks after The Times revealed the club was facing a major cash crisis and was facing closure if things did not improve.

The Times revealed that the club’s finances are so dire that voluntary trustees have been paying bills with their own personal credit cards, just to ensure staff received wages for months.

Revelations that the club has struggled for months to make ends meet shook the local Kilwinning Community and locals have been rallying to do what they can to help the club.

A Crowdfunding page has gathered more than £2,000 in donations since it was set up and Trustees of the club have been in constant talks with North Ayrshire Council bosses, and SFA and Sports Scotland chiefs to find a way to stay open.

However Club Director Jim Hodge, who has worked for the Sports Club on a voluntary basis for almost 20 years, says while the club is grateful for the support from the community, fundamentally, the club needs more people through the doors every day.

He said: “It comes down to not enough people using the facility. if we can change that and encourage more people to come, we will be able to turn things around and sustain ourselves long term.”

Kilwinning Sports Club currently has around 1,500 members. By comparison over the past six years, KA Leisure membership levels have risen from 1,546 in 2011/12 to 9,208 in 2016/17, an increase of 496 per cent.

Sports Development Manager at the club Colin Hunter, said the event should be a great night: “It’s great to see some faces from the past coming together to organise this fundraiser.

“The event has been organised by previous coaches when after seeing the news decided to get together to support a club that they still hold close to their heart.

“The night will have something for everyone with a race night, auction, raffle and buffet topped of with music from local band Done and Dusted.

“Tickets are moving steadily, so don’t miss out on a fantastic night. Support your local community while enjoying yourself”.

Tickets to the Race Night cost £6. If you would like to purchase some contact the club on 01294 556444