A FUNDRAISER has been set up to help bring the joy back to children’s swimming sessions after their inflatable perished during the Covid-19 pandemic when the leisure centre was closed.

After being out of use for so long, the inflatable fun swim equipment at Visions Leisure Centre in Cumnock deteriorated beyond repair.

And in order to get a new one for kids to enjoy, leisure centre staff are hoping to raise £5,000.

Visions Leisure centre was opened 18 years ago and is a community led leisure centre and registered Scottish charity.

During the enforced closure brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the centre suffered financially as they had to keep pool and plant operating whilst having no income.

A spokesperson from Visions Leisure Centre said: “Our fun swim was very popular prior to the pandemic giving young people a safe and inclusive place to go to have fun. When we had an inspection to hopefully put it back into service it was perished and had to be scrapped.

“We hope to raise money via a kiltwalk and crowdfunding to be able to purchase a new one at a cost of £5,400.

“It is so popular and we and the young people are disappointed we cannot provide this fun activity without the inflatable.”

A link to their fundraiser can be found here: shorturl.at/knC78

So far, £160 of the target £5,000 has been donated.

A request for financial assistance at the leisure centre will be discussed at a meeting of East Ayrshire Council’s cabinet today.

The centre added a takeaway store to its offering last year, The Deck.

Also, last year the centre was awarded £53,000 in funding to go towards developing an outdoor classroom and multipurpose area.