Celebrate Kilmarnock to close as group admits securing funding was 'enormously difficult'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A group aiming to spark community-led regeneration in Kilmarnock is to close.Celebrate Kilmarnock is to wind down after the chair of the charity admitted securing funding has been 'enormously difficult'.Reverend David Cameron, who lead the charity, said in a statement that trustees had been unable to fill important leadership roles and that treasurer Gayle Watson did not seek re-election.The advocacy group's day-to-day operations are expected to end by September 30.Rev Cameron conceded that 'issues' in the town remain challenging for everyone and that giving a voice to community concerns is 'daunting and draining'.The charity chair said that apathy had set in and that considerable social, political and consumer change had come to the fore after the pandemic.The statement reads in part: "It is with sadness I intimate my decision to formally step down as the chair of the ‘community led’ regeneration Kilmarnock Town Centre Partnership, known better to us all as Celebrate Kilmarnock."Our treasurer Gayle Watson did not seek re-election as treasurer.

Unfortunately, trustees have been unable to fill these important leadership roles. In addition, securing funding for our activities and future development has been enormously difficult.

Trustees therefore have taken the decision to wind down the charity."We anticipate the day-to-day operation of Celebrate Kilmarnock to conclude by September 30, 2023. "Unfortunately the issues in Kilmarnock remain challenging for us all. "The crucial role of building connections and giving voice to community concerns is daunting and draining especially when advocating for change.