ONE of Ayrshire's best known charities has received a donation of more than £1,200 from a local textile company's Christmas raffle.

The initiative was organised by retired employee Carole Harper at Alex Begg Group Ltd, who returned specifically to oversee the company's Christmas raffle in aid of Ayrshire Cancer Support.

Lynn Steele, an employee at Alex Begg, said: “Alex Begg were delighted to support Ayrshire Cancer Support by handing over the cheque from their Christmas raffle for the sum of £1,204 which was organised by staff donating prizes and buying raffle tickets.

"Previous employee, Carole Harper came back from retirement to organise it with help from her colleagues.”

The company's staff manufacture accessories such as scarves, shawls, knitwear and interiors using cashmere, silk and wool blends at their mill in Ayr's Viewfield Road.

The firm was founded in Paisley in 1866 but relocated to Ayr in 1902 to make the most of the softer, mineral-rich waters available on the coast.

Carol-Anne Lamont, fundraising lead at Ayrshire Cancer Support, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to pop into the factory in Ayr this week to receive the wonderful sum raised - such a wonderful sum of money raised by employees who said they wished to give back and support us because of the services we deliver to our community.

"At Ayrshire Cancer Support, we are truly thankful for their continued support of this local business."

For more information about the charity, contact them at 01563 538008 or visit www.ayrshirecs.org.