A CHARITY providing therapeutic short breaks for children, young people and their families with cancer and life altering illnesses has received £85,000.

Whiteleys Retreat was awarded the the funds thanks to the efforts of National Lottery Players.

The charity will now use the funding to provide families across Ayrshire with respite breaks at their dedicated Retreat which includes free accommodation and on-site facilities including a sensory playground, a Garden of Wellbeing, a sensory hub and supported animal therapy.

Welcoming the award, Maxine Allan, CEO, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding, made possible by National Lottery players.

“It means that we can continue to provide this vital respite to local families during this exceptionally difficult time for charities.

“Families who have a child or young person with cancer or other life altering illness have been living through the pandemic too, with many of them shielding – therefore more socially isolated than ever.

“The social and health care packages normally in place to support these families have been stripped away due to restrictions, therefore there has never been a greater need for the respite that we offer families at Whiteleys Retreat.”