AYR is to host a unique project of reconnecting dads with their children through church.

UK charity Who Let The Dads Out? educate congregations on how to connect with local father figures and then gather dads who don’t normally go to church and show how practicing religion can strengthen family relationships.

John Hutchinson, one of the local event organisers at Newton Wallacetown Church of Scotland, said: “I used to live in Chester and was part of the team who ran a Who Let The Dads Out? group there.

“When I returned to Scotland, I spoke to our minister, Rev Dr Abi Ngunga, about the possibility of starting a group in Ayr.

“Being part of the group is a great way of reaching out to dads who may or may not normally attend church. The dads get to spend time with their kids and it’s a way of the church becoming relevant to families.”

Tony Sharp, Who Let The Dads Out? project coordinator, said: “When I met with Rev Dr Abi Ngunga, minister of Newton Wallacetown Church of Scotland, at a training day in Glasgow in 2018, he was really keen to get us over to Ayr to explain the benefits of intentional and specific ministry to fathers to church leaders, workers and volunteers there.

“So, when we were planning the upcoming Who Let The Dads Out? Nuts and Bolts tour for 2019, it was obvious to us that we needed to include Ayr on the schedule.

“I’m delighted that we can offer this two-hour training session on running a group for dads and other father figures and their children at the church in May as we look to reach out and support families across the UK.”

Mark Chester, the founder of Who Let The Dads Out?, will be running the training event. He is a writer and speaker, with a ministry to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers.