Nearly £4000 has been raised for two Ayrshire charities at a fundraising event in Kilmarnock . Over 300 people gathered at the Park Hotel on Sunday to raise the vital funds for The Killie Community and Alzheimer Scotland. The two charities helped organise the gathering, which brought music and laughter in support of older people living with early onset dementia - and the carers and families who support them. Funds raised from the afternoon have been split equally between the two organisations and will directly benefit local programmes such as Football Memories and its weekly ‘WAGS’ group. These vital initiatives, delivered in partnership every week between The Killie Community Hub at Rugby Park, and Alzheimer Scotland’s resource centre at College Wynd, support men living with dementia through football-themed reminiscence therapy, while offering their wives and carers a separate wellbeing group at the same time. “The weekly group has been life-changing for my sister,” one local carer shared. “She cares almost full-time for her husband, Alan. When he’s at Football Memories, he becomes more talkative and ‘aware’— talking away about old Killie players and Scotland matches.” Entertainment on the day came courtesy of Joan’s Angels and The Ayrshire Ukes, who had the room singing, dancing, and clapping along to classics from the past. Guests were treated to a selection of teas, coffees, sandwiches, and cakes, served throughout the afternoon by The Park Hotel team. The event was co-ordinated by Sheena Boyd and her team at Alzheimer Scotland’s Kilmarnock centre, and Mandy Bowie of The Killie Community, who worked tirelessly to bring the day together and ensure every guest was made to feel welcome. Both charities have thanked the local community for their generosity, which will help them continue to grow these much-needed services for families across Ayrshire. Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter