<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">DCERA (Dundonald Crescent Estate Residents Association) was set up in 2022&nbsp;to help develop and grow our community within the beautiful Auchengate area of North Ayrshire. Dundonald Crescent will be known by many, by the previous name, Dundonald Camp, or as &ldquo;The old military houses&rdquo; near the Paper Mill. We are working closely with North Ayrshire Council and the surrounding communities to establish our estate with a brand-new identity. Over a decade has passed since the M.O.D sold the estate and now is the time to see the place where we call home flourish and evolve into a desirable place to stay.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px">&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="background:white"><span style="line-height:normal"><span style="vertical-align:baseline"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:13.0pt"><span style="background:#fdfdfd"><span style="font-family:&quot;Lato&quot;,sans-serif"><span style="color:#222222">We are a community brass band with c.100 players of all ages. We wish to buy musical instruments to help us expand and a printer / scanner to help us digitise our extensive music library. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">After discussions with a number of individuals &amp; organisations, we are seeking funding support to host&nbsp;a heartwarming and inclusive festive event aimed at individuals in recovery from addiction, offering them a safe and joyful space to celebrate Christmas and New Year without the influence of alcohol or drugs. For many in recovery, the holiday season can be a challenging and isolating time, often spent alone. Our event aims to change that narrative, bringing people together to share the spirit of the season in a supportive and nurturing environment. Through music, games, and activities that foster connection and friendship, we aspire to create lasting memories and a renewed sense of hope. This event&nbsp;will not only light up the holiday season for those who need it most but also reinforce the importance of recovery and community. With your support, we can make this festive season truly special, empowering individuals in recovery to embark on a brighter, healthier journey into the new year.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:&quot;Comic Sans MS&quot;">By entering our verse speaking event Primary Schools demonstrate their pupils&rsquo; budding reading and speaking skills, boosting their self-confidence and fostering an appreciation of the Scots language.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>We are a local community youth football team, seeking funding to help our team of 20 players continue with their enjoyment of playing football.</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Choices Community Shop, based in the heart of Irvine, offers food with dignity to local people who are facing food insecurity due to the cost of living crisis. This fund would allow us to prepare healthy, nutricious &quot;ready meals&quot; for individuals removing the worry of the cost of cooking. Given that winter is approaching, families will have to choose whether to heat or cook and by having this offer, it lessens the stress of the worry.</span></span></span></p>

<p>Irvine Pipe Band would like to get new equipment for training and uniforms for members of the band who are not able to afford their own equipment. The project will link people up from all walks of life including New Scots as well as others from across North Ayrshire who share a passion for Scottish music. The band provides an opportunity for people to boost their mental health and wellbeing by making new friends and taking up an instrument completely free of charge.</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:11px"><span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:107%"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We would like funding to purchase a new defibrillator to assist with our community resilience volunteer programme. Volunteers will learn how to use it, developing their skills and building confidence.</span></span></span></p>

<p style="text-align:start; text-indent:0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width:0px; margin-top:20px; margin-bottom:20px"><span style="font-size:medium"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;, serif"><span style="caret-color:#000000"><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-variant-caps:normal"><span style="font-weight:400"><span style="letter-spacing:normal"><span style="orphans:auto"><span style="text-transform:none"><span style="white-space:normal"><span style="widows:auto"><span style="word-spacing:0px"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-family:&quot;Segoe UI&quot;, sans-serif"><span style="color:#374151">We are seeking a grant to support the printing and production of cookbooks which will be given to families in need within the Irvine locality as a pilot to show them ways to have healthy meals at low cost.&nbsp;&nbsp;We are hoping to&nbsp;&nbsp;work in partnership with local community groups offering lunches or cooking classes, and can then be given away with participants.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>