KIND-HEARTED Ayr residents are stepping up their efforts to help people from Ukraine who have come to live in the town after fleeing the Russian invasion of their homeland.

A social event at Alloway Parish Church is to be held this weekend as part of the ongoing efforts by members of the Rotary Club of Alloway to help Ukrainian refugees living in the area.

The 'Easter Kalina' event, taking place on Sunday, April 16, has grown out of a regular 'Kalina Club', set up by local Rotary members, which holds meetings on Sunday afternoon at the Auld Kirk Halls.

The club, and the social event, are being held with the support of the church's minister, the Rev David Gemmell.

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It's the latest event in six busy months for the club's members as they offer social and financial help to people from Ukraine who have set up a new home in South Ayrshire following the illegal Russian invasion.

In November, Alloway Parish Church held a fund-raising concert featuring local as well as Ukrainian performers, with highlights including a 30-strong Ukrainian chior singing songs from their homeland.

More than £1,000 was raised in donations from the audience which allowed a large number of Tesco Voucers to be purchased and distributed to Ukrainian community. 

The Rotary Club also said it was "highly indebted" to Olga Stewart for the help provided at her premises in Ayr's Newmarket Street.

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Meanwhile, the local Rotary Club's annual Big Beach Clean will take place on Saturday, April 29.

Volunteers are being invited to join Rotary members at 10am on the day at the meeting point in the Longhill Point car park.

The litter picking will go from the Millennium Bridge, heading south along the beach.

Litter pickers, bags and gloves will be provided and Rotary members have asked volunteers to please wear stout shoes/boots and gloves.