Kirkcaldy community centre smashes appeal target to remain open

Linton Lane Centre in Kirkcaldy has smashed its fundraising target of £17,500 to ensure that it remains in the heart of the community after lockdown restrictions have been lifted.

The centre, located in Templehall, sent out an urgent appeal last month after it was revealed that it would not survive financially after the pandemic hit.

With its revenue wiped out as classes and programmes were cancelled, it started the campaign to raise funds to ensure it continued to be a thriving hub for many local groups and charities, such as Kirkcaldy Foodbank.

Scores of well wishers and donors answered the call to secure its future.

Linton Lane is one of Kirkcaldy’s longest running community centres. It was founded in 1926 as Kirkcaldy Boys’ Club, and for decades has been a home for essential services such as nursery day care, child health clinics, advice on addiction and mental health support.

Mandy Henderson, centre manager said: “The response that we have had with the Crowdfunder has been so overwhelming. We received quite a few cheques late last week that raised our total to £18,000, so know we know that we will definitely open again.

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“We want to thank everyone who has donated, shared memories and sent letters of support.

“The message that we have received from the community is that we must keep our doors open, and with the money that has been raised we are able to continue our work in the heart of the community.

“When lockdown restrictions are lifted we are planning an open day event to give us the opportunity to thank everyone in person.

“There have been a lot of donations from people who used to use the centre in the 1960s and 70s – we hope that when we hold our open day they will return to Linton Lane to celebrate and walk down memory lane with us.”

Mandy said the centre will be working as hard as ever to provide the much needed services that it offers in Kirkcaldy.

She said: “I will continue to seek further funding to ensure that we can help some of the most vulnerable people in the Kirkcaldy area, and will we remain open five days a week for Kirkcaldy Foodbank which everyone has been so kind with donations to support their work.

“We will also be supporting families who attend Kirkcaldy North Primary School for the next two weeks along with Newcraigs Church, Morrisons, Sky and the Kirkcaldy and District Freemasons.”

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