AN AYR church has bounced back from a series of break-ins to be shortlisted for a major award.

​Dalmilling Church, which sits within St Quivox Parish Church, has been shortlisted for the Church & Community Volunteer Award at the National Church Awards 2024.

This came as a shock to the volunteer team after a series of break-ins forced them to close for a week to take care of the damage.

The property suffered three break-ins over the span of two weeks back in August.

The perpetrators caused damage inside the church alongside stealing various items. (Image: Kirsty McArdle)

During the third break-in on August 25, laptops and speakers were stolen and the perpetrators smashed the toy cupboard and broke into the Brownies’ locker.

In order to prevent more crime from happening, the team have had to install CCTV cameras as a security measure.

Kirsty McArdle, church volunteer, said: “We got the locks and everything changed, and we got security cameras up.

"We’re more disappointed because we know how much work people have put into the church.

“We’ve had to take a lot of security measures to make sure it doesn’t happen again. We’re a lot more safety conscious and a bit more aware of what we’re doing.

"When we come into the church, we go and bolt the door behind us so that if we’re on the other side of the building, no one can sneak in and hide.”

The National Church Awards are given out by the National Churches Trust, and celebrate the dedication, care and impact of the people who care for the UK’s church buildings and share them with others.

Initiatives at the church are run by the Dalmilling Church Community Volunteers, a team of 18 members whose ages range up to late 70s.

The group host many events and groups, and took 144 people to Blair Drummond Safari Park. (Image: Teddy Bear Tots)

They run a variety of groups and events such as a toddler group, disability music group, men’s group, discos, fairs, and even took 144 people on a trip to Blair Drummond Safari Park for free.

Kirsty said: “We were absolutely over the moon about being shortlisted, we couldn’t believe it.

"We couldn’t believe that we were nominated in the first place and the fact we were shortlisted out of all those people.

“It’s definitely well-deserved, the volunteers work really really hard, but you always think there must be someone doing much better things than we’re doing.

"You don’t do it for recognition, but to be recognised is amazing, it’s just a massive achievement for us.”

Four winners will be chosen for the Church & Community Volunteer Award – one from each UK nation - with each receiving a prize of £750.