Support for Above Adventure's Crowdfunder

The Architectural Heritage Fund has recently supported an exciting charitable organisation from the west coast of Scotland which is looking to transform a disused nineteenth century church into a community climbing centre.

Above Adventure has worked for 3 years to transform Kilmarnock’s Category B listed Grange Free Church in East Ayrshire into a state of the art indoor climbing centre complete with a large bouldering room, roped climbing, a cafe, a training room and a multi pitched climbing area within the 140ft steeple. The aim of the charity is to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities in the West of Scotland through climbing. In particular it works with vulnerable groups such as those with disabilities and/or from disadvantaged backgrounds living in areas of multiple deprivation. For the charity’s co-founder, “it’s all about community. We want this to be a social hub for Kilmarnock – a place that the entire community can enjoy, even if it’s just a cup of tea in the cafe and to soak up the atmosphere.”

To date, Above Adventure has raised nearly £800,000 but require a further £30,000 to complete Phase 1 of its exciting project. The charity has been supported by East Ayrshire Council, The Robertson Trust and has received £23,000 in grants and a loan of £59,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund. It has now set up a Crowdfunder page to help make Phase 1 a reality for 2019. Please support Above Adventure in its quest! For further information please visit www.aboveadventure.co.uk.

Editors Notes:

The Architectural Heritage Fund is a registered charity, working since 1976 to promote the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities across the UK, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas. Its is the leading heritage social investor and the only specialist heritage lender operating in the UK. It provides advice, development grants and loans.

For press enquiries about Above Adventure’s project please contact the AHF’s Support Officer for Scotland: Gordon Barr at 0300 121 0341 / gordon.barr@ahfund.org.uk