We would like to take the members on a day out to the threatre, also provide transport and have a meal after the show. Based on twelve members: Threatre Tickets approx - £480, Meal £240, Transport-minibus £200.

KTCMI is a voluntary community group comprising of local residents, businesses, and representatives from various organisations in Kilbirnie.  We organise and fund our annual Christmas Lights Switch On which takes place on the last Saturday in November. This event is open to all members of the community and enjoyed by all ages. 

Our Christmas Lights Switch On has been a tradition for many years, bringing festive joy and cheer to our town and the people and visitors passing through.  The day starts with Santa and his grotto, culminating at the Cross with the big switch on of the Christmas lights. This event is possible thanks to constant community fund-raising activities by KTCMI throughout the year. The Christmas lights themselves are owned by KTCMI, however North Ayrshire Council (NAC) have previously erected, tested and stored the lights from the Council budget.  Sadly, this is not the case for 2024 as budget constraints within NAC have resulted in this vital funding being unavailable.  NAC has agreed to carry out all of the above actions to ensure the lights are safe and in place for our Switch On, but this is going to result in an additional cost of £7,000 for KTCMI on top of the ongoing running costs for example electricty charges, santa gifts etc.  

We are seeking additional funding for the following:

Santa presents for the children £450

Cost towards of hiring a hall for Santa's grotto £300

Cost towards upgrading the grotto by means of new decorations, art work, lights etc. £350

KTCMI are determined that our Toon will be lit up this Christmas and we are seeking help in raising the desired amount - our toon is arranging numerous fundraising events and hopefully these events will contribute towards the cost of the Christmas light switch on.

Funding will help to purchase tools, consumables, and training for men to participate in productive activities such as: fly-tying, bicycle refurbishment and repair and the manufacture of products from recycled wood.

The output from these activities is directed to other community groups and to those in need. to date we have recycled over 200 bicycles which have been used to quickly mobilises refugees settling in north Ayrshire. Promoting a sustainable and healthy form of exercise and free transportation, also contributing reduce pollution and support a greener north Ayrshire.

We have also been manufacturing garden furniture specifically directed towards members of the community who have limited financial resources and invite them to make an affordable donation as opposed to us implementing a pricing structure.

Ultimately, we exist as a sanctuary for those suffering from isolation, loneliness and mental health issues, facilitating therapeutic, Character-building activities.

We Seek to purchase dual-bevel mitre saw at circa £500.

and train 3 people to Velotech bronze standard to allow them to participate in bicycle maintenance safely and with appropriate knowledge.  training costs £360 PP 

We intend to cover the excess costs from shed funds.

Our Commuinty Larder was set up to offer a top up shop which would help alleviate food insecurity as we moved out of lockdown. We have found since that there is a growing number of members who use our service as a main shop not a top-up due to the increased cost of living. Our proposal is for Kilbirnie and Glengarnock Community Association to purchase fresh meat packs from a local butcher and provide them to our larder members either free or at a vastly reduced rate as the cost of buying them themselves may be prohibitively expensice therefore lots of our members will not be getting the proper nutrition in their diet which ultimately long term affects their health and wellbeing. On average we have about 50 weekly members and it would be great for them to be able to have access to fresh, locally sourced meat which they may not get otherwise. We are asking for £1000 which would allow us to purchase 50 x £20 meat packs which would include a variety of meat that could be utilised on a number of meals for people on a low income.

Cafe Solace Kilbirnie provides low cost meals each Friday at lunchtime and in the evening to the community.   These are very popular with between 30-40 customers at lunchtime and 70-80 in the evening.  Children under 12 or anyone in need eat free.   For some of our customers, we are the only friendly people they will speak to in a week, and it may be the only home cooked meal that they have.   At Christmas we like to make even more special, in particular for those customers who have no family to share the festivities with, and our chef and volunteers prepare a lovely three course traditional Christmas feast and arrange a visit from Santa to present wee gift bags for each of our customers (held over two weeks due to numbers - up to 170).   We do make a nominal charge for the Christmas events, but to avoid hardship to those customers who are struggling financially we heavily subsidise these from our own funds (and children still eat free).   We have been fortunate in receiving support from other areas in previous years to assist with costs and reduce the impact on our funds.   This year, the volunteer team are carrying out some fundraising to pay for the small gifts that we will give our customers (sponsored walk, guess the teddy's birthday etc).   Based on last year's costs (£1,677.39), and the continued increase in food prices, we estimate that we will need to subside the events by around £8-900 from our funds.   Our food costs over the past months have been higher than predicted, due to the unsuitability of much of the food that we are receiving from Fareshare and we are anticipating heavier than normal expenditure in the early part of 2025 as we start to plant out our new vegetable garden.  To enable us to meet our ongoing commitments and still provide a festive treat out for our customers, we are requesting funding of £500 to be put towards the purchase of food required for our Christmas meals (approx £2.94 per potential attendee).