A CHARITY football match in Muirkirk has given a boost of more than £2,000 to a fund-raiser to help a young East Ayrshire girl get potentially life-saving treatment.
Celtic and Rangers supporters put their differences aside to organise the match in the hope of bringing in cash to help young Ava Bolton, from Mauchline.
As reported previously in the Chronicle, Ava's parents, Scott and Natalie Bolton, launched a fund-raising appeal in April when their three-year-old daughter was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma.
Read More: New Cumnock pool voted in top 10 'hidden gems' in UK
Young Ava is currently six months into an 18-month treatment plan to tackle the disease, and the family is hoping to raise £250,000 to send the youngster to a new vaccination treatment in New York.
Scotland star Billy Gilmour is among those who have lent their support to the family's appeal, which recently reached - and is now well past - 50 per cent of its target.
Speaking about the Muirkirk match, which took place on Saturday, June 17, a Muirkirk spokesperson said: "In a brilliant end to end game the Rangers supporters won 1-0, scoring a late goal to clinch the Muirkirk Charity Shield.
"There was a large crowd and locals turned up in large numbers to watch the game and raise money for Ava's fund."
The total amount raised on the day was £2,120, which will be added to the £140,000 already raised.
To donate to Ava's fundraiser go here.
The Muirkirk footballers' efforts add to those from charity workers in Catrine, Auchinleck knitters, kind-hearted grandparents and countless more to raise cash for the Ava appeal.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here