THE Ardrossan and Largs Sea Cadets are seeking support from the community as they look to improve their current home.
Following the impact of the Covid pandemic, and other serious financial challenges over the years, the organisation says that its present facilities - T.S. Gannet in Ardrossan - are no longer fit for purposes.
It was only after substantially growing the groups numbers, and recruiting new staff, over the past two years that the unit was saved from immediate closure.
And now the local Sea Cadets group are looking to continue this growth, by providing the best facilities possible to its young members.
Over the past year, a dedicated team of volunteers have been working hard to make improvement work at T.S. Gannet possible.
So far, they have removed two dozen damaged portacabins from the Ardrossan site and the area has been resurfaced.
They have also managed to get some new structures in place which should allow them to not only grow their operations but become a regional hub for Sea Cadet Corps activity.
There is also a new fence around the facility, which was all made possible thanks to fundraising efforts raising £70,000 for 'operation refit' so far.
But with this work only a small part of the Sea Cadets' overall plans, and total costs expected to reach £300,000 - they are now reaching out to the wider community for support.
A spokesperson explained: "We need your help to fund the demolition and replacement of our facilities which include classrooms and canteen facilities for our cadets.
"With the right funding, we will be able to expand activities to include catering, engineering and seamanship courses.
"The focus is on resurfacing our yard, with a resurfaced yard we can invest in a drill square space to practice our marching in a safe, well-lit and controlled environment.
"These new facilities will provide a modern and safe area in which to deliver our main goal - giving children a head start in life through nautical adventure.
"We've set our initial goal at an ambitious £50,000, but every single penny gets us closer to our total goal."
To find out more about the project, and to make a donation, the group's JustGiving campaign can be found online at justgiving.com/campaign/oprefit.
The spokesperson added: "If you think you or your organisation can help in any way, please get in contact."
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