Connect Autumn 2015 | Page 11

11 AUTUMN 2015 AYRSHIRE SPORTSABILITY RECENTLY WON THE ASSOCIATION OF SCOTTISH BUSINESSWOMEN BEST BUSINESS CHARITY AWARD 2015, CITING AYRSHIRE COLLEGE AS ONE OF ITS KEY PARTNERS. Ayrshire Sportsability was born in 2001 after its current Chair, Dr Waiyin Hatton, met a group of children at an event organised by Rainbow House, Ayrshire Central Hospital. Their attitude of ‘just get on with it’ was so inspiring that a small group of like-minded people with a passion for promoting sporting opportunities for youngsters with disabilities organised the first Ayrshire-wide ‘Come and Try’ event for 200 youngsters. The relationship between Ayrshire Sportsability and the College started from this event, with students helping out as volunteers. Ayrshire Sportsability Working with partners - Ayrshire College; East, North and South Ayrshire Councils; NHS Ayrshire and Arran; North Ayrshire Leisure; Scottish Disability Sports and Sportscotland - Ayrshire Sportsability has grown from strength-to-strength. The 2015 ‘Come and Try’ event was attended by 600 youngsters and over 30 adults over 5 days [