EUROMILLIONS winners Colin and Chris Weir have donated £130,000 towards The Beacon Arts Centre appeal.

The money from the Largs couple will be used to fit out the kitchen and café/bar areas at the £10million, state-of-the-art theatre complex in which employment opportunities will be provided to some of the most vulnerable in the community.

The Beacon Arts Centre is being built on former dockyard land at Customhouse Quay, Greenock. It will replace the Arts Guild Theatre, which has served the community for 65 years. It will provide a 500 seat main auditorium together with a 130 seat studio theatre, three large, interconnecting rehearsal rooms and a café bar overlooking the River Clyde.

Chris Weir said: “We are delighted to lend our support to the Beacon Arts Centre. The ethos of The Beacon, particularly its focus for providing educational and employment opportunities is to be congratulated. The Beacon aspires to be a leading example of how a community can come together and help those at risk or less fortunate. For example, the café within the complex specifically aims to support those with mental health issues by providing employment, something that is sorely needed.

“We share Greenock Arts Guild’s aspirations for The Beacon and want it to be a success -- that is why we made the donation.”

Elliott McKelvie, chairman of Greenock Arts Guild, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Chris and Colin have chosen to support The Beacon with such a substantial donation. Ours is a key project in the wider regeneration of Inverclyde and will provide real educational and social benefits to our community.

“Chris and Colin recognise and value the work we are undertaking through our planned social enterprise model. We shall be working, through arts education, with young people at risk of offending and we shall also be offering employment to people who have been long-term unemployed because of underlying mental health conditions.

“Through their generosity, Chris and Colin continue to make a positive contribution to charitable and community projects such as ours and help organisations like the Arts Guild to plan and fund projects which can really make a difference to people’s lives.”

The Beacon has been eight years in development and is being built as a result of major public investment and donations to the appeal. It is due to open later this year. Greenock Arts Guild still has around £250,000 to raise for specialist technical equipment and the appeal will focus on local fundraising such as ‘selling’ seats in the new theatre where, for £500 or £10 per month, people can have their name or the name of a loved one, permanently displayed on the seat. Further information can be obtained from 01475 723038 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Beacon Arts Centre

Artcile about the Weirs Euromillions Win BBC

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