AN AYR based charity say they are "eternally grateful" after receiving a cash boost of nearly £40,000.
The donation to Whiteleys Retreat came from another Ayrshire charity, Irvine-based Chloe's Chemoo Cows - as the latter group announced it is to close down.
The donation of £39,278.02 will be used to help Whiteleys Retreat continue to provide vital respite for children, young people, and their families, with cancer and life altering illnesses across Scotland at the charity's unique countryside retreat near Alloway.
The total was part of the remaining funds held by Chloe's Chemoo Cows - with the remaining funds given to Calum's Cabin, a charity based in Rothesay which has a similar purpose to Whiteleys Retreat.
Chloe's Chemoo Cows was orignally set up in honour of late Irvine girl Chloe McNeil, who passed away aged just 11 as she lost her fight with an inoperable and incurable brain tumour just nine months after her initial diagnosis.
The charity was then set up by her parents Elaine and Mark, following her death in 2011, and has been raising funds ever since.
Maxine Allan, chief executive of Whiteleys Retreat, said: "We receive no government or NHS funding and rely primarily on fundraising events and donations.
"This is a major lifeline to the charity and will allow us to help so many more families.
"We are deeply honoured to continue the legacy of the very beautiful and courageous Chloe McNeil."
Much like Whiteleys Retreat, Chloe's Chemoo Cows was launched with the mission of raising awareness of the need for brain tumour research, and to raise much-needed funds to brighten the lives of children with cancer.
Chloe’s Chemoo Cows also looked to bring comfort and happiness to children and young people in a way she would have loved, inspired by Chloe's love of art, her teddy 'Chewits' - who was never far from her side in hospital - and her love of all things cow related.
The charity has this week announced that Chloe's Chemoo Cows has been closed down, saying it's "time to move on".
These were fitting final donations, as the charity said farewell and thanked all those who supported it over the years.
On social media, a spokesperson for the charity said: "Thank you to everyone who has suported Chloe's Chemoo Cows and for the super fund-raising effort in the last decade.
"We had never intended to set up a charity, and have always been amazed at the support from family, friends and the public in general; we are still humbled by the sheer sum of money raised in Chloe's memory.
"There has been no fund-raising over the last few years as the charity began the process to disolve.
"All remaining funds have now been distributed to very worthwhile children's cancer charities."
They added that being involved in these charitable efforts has been wonderful - though not without its challenges.
The spokesperson added: "The charity has been wonderful, but it's not been without its challenges, watching other families go through that same trauma is very difficult, there's only so much pain people can endure.
"So, it's time to move on. There will be no more posts, and the [Facebook] page will be deleted in the next few weeks.
"Thank you from everyone at Chloe's Chemoo Cows."
And as they made their announcement, they posted a final tribute to Chloe who "was, and still is, our everything".
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