Malcolm Sargent House Closure Update

Thank you for taking the time to sign this petition to help save Malcolm Sargent House in Prestwick. We have earlier today reached over 10,000 online signatures – which is an incredible response from the community. Just to brief you all on an update on the current situation. As most of you are already aware, Malcolm Sargent House has provided specialised respite holiday breaks in the lovely beach side town of Prestwick for over 27 years. It is a place of sanctuary to families who have to go through the devastating ordeal of having a child diagnosed with cancer. Thousands of special memories have been made at Malcolm Sargent House and has a special place in the heart of thousands of families. Some families have even scattered their ashes of their child at the house which symbolises how important this place is to so many. In the past week, the support and offers from so many wishing to help has been overwhelming. It just proves that this magnificent place, which is held in such high regard throughout Scotland and elsewhere for the families, will not be shut without a huge fight. For many years, so much fundraising for CLIC Sargent throughout Scotland has specifically been for Malcolm Sargent House – especially in Ayrshire. As this week has unfolded, a multitude of people have come forward wanting to donate money to “Save Malcolm Sargent House”. Unfortunately, after seeking legal advice, during this consultation period any money raised to go to CLIC Sargent in the hope of being put specifically into Malcolm Sargent House cannot be guaranteed. In the event of the outcome of the consultation that Malcolm Sargent House is closed, all money donated during this period will be put into CLIC Sargent’s big pot and used elsewhere. This is very important for everyone to know and remember. We are hoping that careful consideration is given during this “consultation period” and Malcolm Sargent House will remain open and will not be closed. Kate Lee, the CEO of CLIC Sargent is due to be in Scotland tomorrow and over the weekend to discuss the closure of Malcolm Sargent with several campaigners, volunteers and fundraisers. I will keep you updated of the outcome. Kate Lee has said the closure of Malcolm Sargent is “in large, a financial issue”. She also states that she has had some great suggestions for the home’s future, such as handing it over to another provider. The main aim here is to keep Malcolm Sargent House and the wonderful service it provides to children suffering from cancer and their families to remain open and all avenues to keep the house open should be investigated. So… we still have a few weeks until the consultation period expires. I would encourage everyone to ask people to sign the petition online. We are also in the process of distributing paper petitions throughout shops in Ayrshire for the people who can’t sign online and wish to support the cause. We can’t keep up with the demand but we are doing our best to distribute them all around! If anybody wishes a petition form emailed to them for work colleagues, friends and family to sign please email me siobhian71@gmail.com and I will organise for a petition to be sent to you. Eileen Granger MBE, has raised over £400,000 for CLIC Sargent after her son and family used Malcolm Sargent House. Eileen, along with so many others have put their heart and soul into fundraising for Malcolm Sargent and are devastated with the current proposal for closure. Eileen is organising a Peaceful Protest on Sunday 26th June in Prestwick. The protest will leave from the Indoor Bowling Alley at 12.30pm and finish at Links Road. If you are in the area that day your support would be greatly appreciated. Please see the below link on Facebook for the event. https://www.facebook.com/events/1118005078237637/ Thank you once again for your support and I will keep you updated. Kind regards, Siobhian Brown