FORMER Troon Citizen of the Year Ian Wilson had never thrown a dart in his life until he took part in a fundraising awareness event for a vital charity.

And he ended up throwing an impressive 99 arrows in 33 rounds to help boost the funds of Beautiful Inside & Out, a charity who provide a mental health service to children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Glasgow and the west of Scotland.

The venture, held in the Railway Club, brought in £70. Ian said: “It was great fun but it was more about raising awareness of the charity.”

The 2018 Troon Civic Award Winner is staging a year of money-spinning ventures for the charity.

And so far he has raised £350 through a car boot sale, tenants of Bradan Road sheltered housing complex put coins in a fish bowl and Troon TV chief Joe Dorfman emptied his piggy bank.It is hoped the end of the year £2,500 to £3000 will be raised. A Make-up Master class is being staged in the Poppy Room on April 24, from 6.30pm until 9pm. This is a sell-out event.

C Gulls owner Laurance Muir is donating prizes to a number of events.

Meanwhile Ian feels young people in the town are valuing the charity.

He said: “Many young people are now aware of the pressures put upon them in this age of social media and it is refreshing to have these discussions with them.

“I would like to thank Keith Beckwith who has been helping me to promote “Beautiful inside & Out” among his friends, in and beyond the pub.

“Lots of our young people are now wearing wrist bands and badges in support of this amazing charity and I hope they continue to spread the word.”