The owner of the Stakis Foundation has given projects in Largs over £4,000 in financial support after being 'moved to tears' by the goodness of people after meals were provided by churches and Largs Community Council for the community.  

Robbie Stevenson, who leads two sub groups on the community council, approached the Stakis Foundation for financial support last year.

And after sending the press cuttings and thanking Mr Andros Stakis for his support, he was amazed to find another £3,000 was popped into the Largs Community Council account.

A further £1,400 was put into the Largs Dementia Friendly account by Mr Stakis for further projects in the town.

Last year's event was hosted by the Largs Church of the Nazarene, Largs District Churches Together and Largs Community Council.

On Christmas Day, local residents were invited to join their neighbours for festive fellowship, carol singing and a delicious Christmas buffet. 

And in a follow up letter thanking Andros Stakis for the funding, Mr Stevenson provided press cuttings from the events that he had helped to sponsor.

Speaking to Largs Community Council, Mr Stevenson said: "I said to Mr Stakis it would be good if they could consider some additional funding opportunities in future and I was amazed to find that £3,000 had been popped into the Largs Community Council account and £1,400 to the Largs Dementia Friendly group.

"I phoned Andros Stakis up to thank him personally and tell him that it was very much appreciated.

"Stakis own all the former Haklshill Estate where the forestry goes up to Greeto Falls and also the Hydro electric station, so this is, in effect, a community payback.

"Maybe he can't commit to something like this ever year but I will keep sending him the press cuttings from the Largs and Millport Weekly News and hopefully he will be receptive to funding more community projects in future."

And Mr Stevenston said that Mr Stakis has been 'moved to tears' by the Christmas Day lunches project which was a great success last year.

Independent councillor Ian Murdoch praised the community council and said it was great to get the £3,000 and the fact that it was unrestricted was huge.

Mr Stevenston replied: "Yes, he is happy and trusts the community council to look after the funds and do the right thing.

"The last time he gave us funds it had to meet certain criteria with projects identified and we will be looking at the same sort of projects."

Largs Community Council chairman Jim Phillips also congratulated his colleague and said it was good news for the town.

Fellow community councillor Wendy Low Thomson also said it was a great boost, and that Mr Stakis was a 'nice man' for having thought of giving money to the town and its projects.