Brownings the Bakers of Kilmarnock has announced a charity partnership with Whiteleys Retreat in Ayr.

Whiteleys Retreat provides respite facility for children and young people with cancer and life-altering illnesses. It was founded in June 2016, after the closure of CLIC Sargent’s Malcolm Sargent House in Prestwick spurred a group of volunteers to ensure there would still be a facility in Ayrshire.

To support the charity, Brownings will launch a special-edition Whiteleys Empire Biscuit, which will be on sale in all of Brownings’ shops from Wednesday 1May. All proceeds from the sales of the Empires will go directly to the charity.

On 17 August, it will host the Brownings Black & Whiteleys Ball at Fenwick Hotel.

Finally, Matthew Short, technical director at Brownings, and his wife Wendy will tackle Mount Kilimanjaro on behalf of the charity in September.

“We are delighted as a business to be supporting such a worthwhile local charity. It is very important to me that, as one of the largest employers in Ayrshire, we work closely with local charity and community groups to give back as much as we can,” said John Gall, managing director at Brownings the Bakers.

“Our team are looking forward to seeing how much we can raise for this vital charity with the support of our customers, suppliers, friends and staff.”

Maxine Allan, chief executive at Whiteleys Retreat added that, with support from local businesses like Brownings, it would raise vital funds to continue to offer free respite to children, young people and their families.

“On behalf of Whiteleys’ families and our volunteers we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Brownings the Bakers.”