A group aiming to spark community-led regeneration in Kilmarnock is to close.
Celebrate Kilmarnock is to wind down after the chair of the charity admitted securing funding has been 'enormously difficult'.
Reverend David Cameron, who lead the charity, said in a statement that trustees had been unable to fill important leadership roles and that treasurer Gayle Watson did not seek re-election.
The advocacy group's day-to-day operations are expected to end by September 30.
Rev Cameron conceded that 'issues' in the town remain challenging for everyone and that giving a voice to community concerns is 'daunting and draining'.
The charity chair said that apathy had set in and that considerable social, political and consumer change had come to the fore after the pandemic.
The statement reads in part: "It is with sadness I intimate my decision to formally step down as the chair of the ‘community led’ regeneration Kilmarnock Town Centre Partnership, known better to us all as Celebrate Kilmarnock.
"Our treasurer Gayle Watson did not seek re-election as treasurer. Unfortunately, trustees have been unable to fill these important leadership roles. In addition, securing funding for our activities and future development has been enormously difficult. Trustees therefore have taken the decision to wind down the charity.
"We anticipate the day-to-day operation of Celebrate Kilmarnock to conclude by September 30, 2023.
"Unfortunately the issues in Kilmarnock remain challenging for us all.
"The crucial role of building connections and giving voice to community concerns is daunting and draining especially when advocating for change. We have seen significant social, political and consumer change, it has been rapid after the pandemic although an apathy has also set in. The impact this has on our town landscape is there for all to see."
Rev Cameron did say that he believed the organisation had made a difference in the community.
The statement continued: "Our common agenda has been our most fundamental piece of work to offer a pathway to be the change we want to see; entirely based on Celebrate Kilmarnock’s understanding, discernment, wisdom and experience formed and evolved through our long established relationship with our stakeholders and community participants. Relationship-building was the purpose of our work to build a social movement of self-reliant community led regeneration in Kilmarnock.
"I hope the new Kilmarnock Strategy Town Centre Strategy Group headed by East Ayrshire Council can deliver that.
"I also wish to record my thanks and appreciation to you for your support and encouragement as volunteers and stakeholders from private public, business, retail and volunteer sectors of our town. It has been a blast! Sadly there is a time and season for everything and the season for Celebrate Kilmarnock comes to an end.
"‘Be the change you want see.’ has often been quoted by us. It is attributed to Mahatma Gandhi who once challenged his people to ‘be the change that you want to see in the world.’
"I strongly believe we have made a difference."
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