The Prestwick-based Malcolm Sargent House and the CLIC Sargent charity received a boost this week, with a surprise donation from outgoing South Ayrshire Provost Winifred Sloan in one of her last official duties before retiring.

Provost Sloan surprised May Gilchrist, from children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent, with a fantastic donation of £10,000.

The Council's Charity Group selected CLIC Sargent as their charity two years ago Provost Sloan said: "We've been hard at work raising money for this well deserving and worthwhile cause.

"In that time, we've raised money in all sorts of ways, from dress down days, raffles at the Council's Outstanding People Awards, bag packing by pupils, car washing, Rabbie's Run, afternoon teas, coffee mornings and much more besides.

"All the money raised soon began to mount up and I was thrilled we reached the £10,000 mark. I was delighted to invite May over and present a cheque to her as a surprise."

May commented: "I knew the Council was raising funds for us as their nominated charity, but I had no idea their efforts had been going so well.

"I was literally blown away when Provost Sloan turned the cheque over and I saw the amount on it. It's an incredible and very welcome donation as we depend entirely on public support to keep Malcolm Sargent house going.

"Provost Sloan has been one of our most timeless supporters and, from a personal point of view, the presentation was a bittersweet moment for me.

"On one hand, I'm grateful for the money which will help us in our work to offer support and encouragement to every young person with cancer, or families affected by it. On behalf of us all at Malcolm Sargent House, I'm very grateful to all those at South Ayrshire Council who have been so generous with their time, support and cash to get to this amazing milestone.

"On the other hand, I was saddened to be saying farewell to Provost Sloan – a friend and a real champion of the people and all of us at CLIC Sargent wish her the very best as she hangs up her chain of office and starts a well earned retirement.

Provost Sloan added: "Malcolm Sargent House is a wonderful place where kids with cancer and their families can come and have a holiday by the sea. It costs half a million pounds to run every year and, since it was opened in 1994, it has hosted almost 8,000 families – some tens of thousands of people.

"Every day, 10 families are told their child has cancer and the staff at Malcolm Sargent house offer those children and families a well earned break, helping them to come to terms with what is happening."

"It's a superb charity and I was over the moon when asked to make the donation on behalf of everyone at the Council, because we understand and appreciate all the hard work May and her team undertake every day."