A youth football team whose ferry was cancelled will be reimbursed for a costly overnight stay in Arran.
The ferry operator has agreed to cover the cost after Prestwick Caledonian 2010s were forced into ‘extra time’ on the island.
After Ayrshire Live’s intervention, CalMac who are responsible for the Ardrossan to Brodick crossing, have gone against their own policy on refunds for accommodation, as a gesture of goodwill.
We contacted the Scots ferry giant last week after hearing how parents of the Prestwick youth football club had to shell out more than £400 on food and a stay in a hostel after the last sailing back to the mainland was cancelled on Saturday, May 13.
All of this added expense came after they had trekked Goatfell to try and score some new kits.
Eighteen of the group who journeyed over to scale Ayrshire’s tallest point were left stranded after ferry chiefs at CalMac pulled the plug on the last sailing back to the mainland.
The 7.20pm back to Ardrossan was axed due to thick fog which surrounded the island and put a safe passage home in doubt.
Six of the group were able to board the Catamaran service running from the island at 6.30pm.
But the rest were left scrambling for a warm bed, with no room left on the Catamaran service.
Coach Mark Gardiner told last week how the group were able to find shelter in a hostel on the other side of the island.
He said: "All in it was about £400 odd extra that we’ve had to spend. The accommodation was around £300 and we had to fork out £50 for pizzas at the ferry terminal, and around £80 for the minibus.
"The whole point of the trip was to go and raise some funds behind us for new kits and future trips.
Now CalMac bosses have promised to refund the total cost after praising the incredible efforts of the team.
Diane Burke, commercial director for CalMac, said: “Climbing Goatfell was a great achievement and an excellent way to raise funds for the team.
“As a gesture of goodwill and in recognition of their fantastic efforts, we are happy to pay the team back for their unexpected overnight stay on Arran.”
Read next:
- Hugh Grant stuns diners at Ayrshire restaurant after arriving in town
- New parking restrictions at Ayrshire retail park with £100 fine warning issued
- Ayrshire takeaways in 'sad copycat' war of words over logo and brand colours
- Retired Ayrshire teacher sheds six stone after 'challenging herself'
- 'Horrendous' Ayr High Street flats plan approved as local makes 'torture' comparison
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter
