Irvine Rugby Club is spreading Christmas cheer by offering free rugby sessions to anyone who uses the North Ayrshire Foodbank.

Residents who frequent the foodbank can take part in eight weeks of free training sessions as of Monday November 28 as part of the club’s Christmas appeal.

Club member of three years Fiona said: “We decided to try and do something that kind of gives back a wee bit as well and encourages people to come down who maybe feel like it’s something they couldn’t afford to do.

“We want to promote the fact that we are a really welcoming club – we want people to come down and we want kids to be involved in sports.

“It’s not competitive and there’ll never be people left out who don’t get to play - every single person who attends training will get a game and a chance to run about and partake in the sport.”

The offer is open to people of all ages and genders as the club has kids, mens, and womens teams.

Alongside the offer of free training, the club donated 150 advent calendars to the foodbank.

Fiona added: “When we spoke to the foodbank, they said it wasn’t a common thing to get advent calendars handed in and they thought they would be really appreciated and go down really well.

“The club normally does a selection box appeal where we’ll give out selection boxes to a charity, but this is the first time we’ve donated advent calendars to the foodbank.

“The foodbank has highly appreciated everything that we’ve ever done or handed in. They’ve already thanked us and have been so appreciative.”

North Ayrshire Foodbank expressed their thanks to the club for the generous donation on their Facebook page.

The foodbank’s post read: “We had a lovely surprise visit from Irvine Rugby Club today, they donated 150 Advent Calendars.

“They have generously offered free training to all Foodbank users for the next 8 weeks.”

Aside from the campaigns in the run up to Christmas, the club holds annual foodbank appeals in January or February.

The kids’ team trains on Wednesdays at 6.30pm and on Sundays at 11am, the ladies’ team trains on Thursdays at 6.30pm and Sundays at 11am, and the men’s team trains on Thursdays at 7pm.

Anyone who would like to inquire about joining the club can send them a message on their Facebook at www.facebook.com/IrvineRFC.