GAIL PIRIE🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

A new drop-in club for those living with dementia and their carers has kicked off at Somerset Park. The Ally MacLeod Meeting Centre is the latest community initiative run by Ayr United's Football Academy. Named after the late, great former United boss, the facility is already providing a much needed service for locals. A warm welcome awaits those attending, with everything from practical support to games and karaoke at the weekly Thursday sessions. AUFA outreach staff and volunteers launched the new Centre last month, which is funded by Meeting Centres Scotland. Academy veteran Billy Alexander (pictured below) is among those overseeing the project and says it gives a new lease of life to those living with a range of conditions. He revealed: "Primarily the Centre caters for those living with dementia and Alzheimer's and those who care for them, but everyone is welcome to attend. "A big part of living with dementia can be for the carers as well and it's great to see the number of people who come in. It can be for something as simple as a cuppa and a blether. "It shows the power of community and as the Academy we have a range of clubs like this that now cater for activities outwith football. "From three year-olds all the way to 80-plus, there is something for everyone in what we do. "It's also fitting that the centre is named after Ally MacLeod, who himself had Alzheimer's and is such a legend at the club. "His daughter, Gail, is one of our volunteers so that's another really nice link to have." Those attending, from individuals to local nursing homes, are able to reminisce about lifetime travels using a special world map, while everything from golf to dominoes is on the agenda. The nearby Lochside Church also provide a slap-up lunch. United fan John McWhirter, who is one of the volunteers who helps make the sessions tick, added: "The biggest challenge is making people aware that we're here and what's available. "We started off our dementia walking football club with just two people and it's now grown beyond all recognition. Hopefully this will be the same. "Yes it's based at a football club but that's no barrier to anyone attending, it is very much a club for all." The Ally MacLeod Meeting Centre is located at the Ayr United Hospitality Suite and runs each Thursday between 10am-3pm. There is no need to book and everyone is welcome to drop in. For more information contact stuart.watson@aufa.org.uk or wellbeing@aufa.org.uk

Ayr level now! Another Taylor corner missed by Dibaga this time and Luke McBeth rises to head home. United have been under the cosh this half but somehow go in all square as the half time whistle sounds. 1-1.