A NEW charity has been set up to buy Prestwick’s Malcolm Sargent House, after Clic Sargent announced the respite home would close its doors.

Supporters and fundraisers of the house are delighted to announce their new campaign, ‘Buy Malcolm Sargent House’, who aim to purchase it, with help from the community, in a bid to stop them from selling it to property developers.

A Board of Trustees is in the process of being set up with charitable status with assistance of law firm The McKinstry Company, who are backing the campaign. 

The McKinstry Company, who have had a long association with MSH since it opened in 1989, are donating thousands every year to enable its continued success.

Maxine Allan, media spokesperson for the campaign, said: “ Although Malcolm Sargent House is located in South Ayrshire, Scotland, it’s facilities and services were utilised by families throughout the UK. 

“We are calling on the full support of the whole community within the UK. We are going everywhere. Even though MSH is in Prestwick, its facilities are used all over the UK.

“We are trying to show it is important to the community and helps people outwith the area. Lots of people have contacted us through Facebook wanting to do their own events.”

The committee are aiming to secure the deposit of roughly £150,000 by the end of the month before they can begin negotiations with Clic Sargent.
The Board of Trustees will be going into these negotiations. 

Troon’s Pauline Huston, who has been appointed American Express GBT global directors of hotel community, has joined the board along with as Robert Ferguson of William Duncan. Other board members will be announced in due course.

The group want to increase occupancy from 30 per cent to 100 per cent, running the facility as a business but making it available for those who suffer from other illnesses too. 

Secretary Siobhian Brown, said: “Once we get the deposit, we will be moving forward to a development long term.”
Many fundraisers will be held as well as counter donations in pubs and stores across South Ayrshire. 

A justgiving page has also been set up at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/buy-msh or text to donate BMSH £10 to 70070.