A tireless campaigner who fought for a Citizens Advice Bureau in Ayr has died.
John Dunlop passed away from illness following being diagnosed with a brain tumour last year.
John, who was a keen Pathminder and Ayr Rotarian up until he was admitted for Hospice care, was a former Director of Citizens Advice Scotland and waged a long standing campaign to have a Citizens Advice Bureau in the town.
He was also heavily involved with SeeAyr, a steering group set up to revitalise Ayr by developing its leisure, heritage and cultural sectors.
Part of SeeAyr’s ambitious plans is to create a Madison Square Garden-style sports and leisure facility at the former coal yard along Newton shore.
And John, who was previously a director of policy and administration at the Scottish Football Association, was keen to see the creation of a regional football centre, as well as a multi-use arena that could be used from sports to pop concerts.
Tributes poured in for John, who became renowned for fighting many a cause in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Russell, from SeeAyr, said: “SeeAyr will sadly very much miss his valued input as another one of the pillars of Ayr has sadly passed.
“His boundless energy, motivation, sound advice, and vast knowledge, all directed along with his fellow friends, in pursuit of a number of strategic ideas for the betterment of Ayr and surrounding Metropolitan area.
“He campaigned long and hard for his overriding wish, a CAB in South Ayrshire to benefit our residents and much of his time was spent helping others.
“RIP John and thank you.”
Rotary Club of Ayr said: “A native of Ayr, he had a wide, imaginative and clear-sighted visions for the regeneration of his county town.
“As such he was often a thorn in the flesh of those in authority.
“It is a great shame that his illness cut short his visionary plans for Ayr, which were beginning to gather interest and momentum.
“We’ll miss his company, passion and banter on the many Rotary projects which he often led.”
Norman McLean, from SeeAyr, said: “John, who we have lost far too soon, was a true visionary, far and away beyond our civic thinking.
“His vision of Ayr through his SeeAyr project set his goal of a true masterplan for the town acknowledging and reinforcing the link with Prestwick.
“His other passion is a Citizen’s Advice Bureau, so sadly missing in a community the size of Ayr. He has it ready to start just awaiting a positive acknowledgment from the Council.
“What a fitting memorial it would be to him if these two visionary project were positively advanced.”
John’s funeral will take place on Monday, March 13 at 2pm at Masonhill Crematorium, followed by Fairfield Hotel, Fairfield Road, KA7 2AS.
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