MP Patricia Gibson and MSP Kenneth Gibson were delighted by the response to the Funding Fayre they jointly organised in Saltcoats Town Hall recently.

North Ayrshire & Arran SNP MP Patricia Gibson said: “It was great to have 22 potential funders of community groups participate and representatives of over 120 community groups from Across North Ayrshire and Arran come along.

“Although scheduled to run for two and a half hours the event lasted over three, with numerous contacts and applications for funding made.

“Our aim is that this will bring significant additional funding to groups across our constituencies.”

Cunninghame North SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson added: “We have held four previous funding fayres but this was the first in person since 2019 due to the pandemic.

“It’s a simple concept: community organisations come along, speak to the funders to say who they are, who they represent, what they seek funding for and how much.

“The funders community projects most closely match with – there could be several – then go through the funding process and applications. Support is provided throughout by the funder.

“It’s an event we plan to repeat again next year.”