Troon Watersports Hub charity were delighted to be awarded a grant of £8,300 by the Morrisons Foundation.
The funding will enable the charity to deliver their innovative ‘Splash Project’ which aims to improve children's mental and physical wellbeing through surfing and stand-up paddle boarding.
Planning permission for the new Watersports Hub – on a 1.7-hectare site next to the Barassie public toilets, part of which was previously home to Troon Sailing Club – was granted by South Ayrshire Council in December.
The plans, for “non-motorised water sports activities", include changing rooms, indoor and outdoor toilets, a training room and community space, an office, and a dry store, as well as an ‘ancillary community café’.
Vincent McWhirter, Outdoor Activities Development Officer at the hub said: “Troon Water Sports Hub and The Outdoor Partnership are delighted to receive Morrison Foundation funding for 2023 to continue to run our successful ‘Splash Project’.
“Our programme focuses on opportunities for young people and adults to get into the water, have fun, experience the physical and mental health benefits of being in the water and learn how to be safe.
“This funding will enable young people, adults and families to be introduced to stand up paddling, sit on top canoeing, open water swimming, kite surfing and we will also offer educational programmes with a strong focus on RNLI water safety messaging."
David Scott, Morrisons Foundation Trustee said: “I’m very happy that we have been able to provide this donation to enable children, young people and families with the opportunity to take part in water sport skills and learn about water safety through the wonderful project offered by Troon Watersports Hub and The Outdoor Partnership.”
The Morrisons Foundation was set up by Morrisons supermarket in 2015 and awards grants for charity projects which help improve people’s lives. Since launching, over £38 million has been donated to hundreds of charities across England, Scotland and Wales.
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