MY predecessor as editor, John J McCreadie, once described Haylie House in Largs as "one of the town's success stories." Considering that he wrote those words over 30 years ago it is worth asking after the health of the 'old lady' who has served the area as a home for exactly 55 years.

Haylie House which sits off the Haylie Brae is on a site which has had a building for two centuries. It was a grand private home for such luminaries as James Stevenson who gifted the Stevenson Institute to Largs, before it functioned as a hotel in the first half of the 20th century.

Haylie survived a big fire on Glasgow Fair Monday, July 15, 1991 when residents had to be evacuated and 50 firefighters and nine appliances tackled the blaze. It was closed for three years, and, under a new arrangement, the voluntary Board of Trustees rents the property from North Ayrshire Council under a lease which is due to end in 2019.

I met recently with the Board chairman, Gerry Condron and board member, retired GP Dr Tom Clark, to discuss the future of Haylie which is not a nursing home; it is a residential care home for local elderly people.

The Board are embarking on a big fund-raising drive to supplement the income which, basically, comes from local authorities which pay for the 25 residents. Expenditure such as the £15,000 roofing repairs had to be met from the meagre funds raised by the volunteers.

In this area there is, unsurprisingly, a growing demand for respite care whereby elderly can move into the home temporarily to allow their family and carers to have holidays and breaks.

Tom and Gerry (a double act?) told me that they would like to offer more respite but it would require expansion of rooms at a time when the business of looking after Haylie is about "keeping heads above water". Hence, Haylie will, for example, host a concert with, hopefully, a big musical name later in the year as part of a series of fundraisers.

Many of the 44 staff at Haylie will get involved in the campaign under manager Susan Lees, deputes Gillian Ness and Alexa McKinnon and Care Manager, Sheila Redden.

I can dispel the misconception that Haylie House is a profit making concern with Social Work finance. In fact, it is only funded through the individual allowances of the local residents.

You can start to help the much-needed home by replying when asked which local charity requires help...Haylie House.. to ensure that another half-century of service will be given by the 'old lady.'