A GROUP of youngsters taking part in an employability course run by Kilmarnock Football Club have planted hundreds of trees near Lugar.

The group of 18-22 year olds are part of an employability programme run by The Killie Community, called ‘Kick Off Your Career’.

Youngsters planted hundreds of trees.Youngsters planted hundreds of trees. (Image: The Killie Community) In a bid to upskill their environmental and landscaping skills, they have partnered with a social enterprise, Eadha Enterprises, and have this week re-planted 300 native trees at the Glenmuir Water.

The participants braved the cold weather to plant the trees and bring the area back to life.

Grant Wallace, Employability Lead at The Killie Community, said: “This current group of 10 we have are massively growing in confidence.

"This project in particular has given them opportunities they’ve never had before, and probably didn’t expect when they first came to the football club.

"As well as improving their mental health, wellbeing and mood by working outdoors, it’s given them a stronger sense of pride in their community.

"They’re excited to return in the future and see what they’ve achieved here in Logan.”

The programme is run by The Killie Community.The programme is run by The Killie Community. (Image: The Killie Community) The wider project is called ‘Coalfields to Wildwoods’, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund via the Coalfield Communities Landscape Partnership (CCLP).

The project will see thousands of trees planted in East Ayrshire to “enhance the scarred landscape of the mining area and engage local people in growing trees in temporary micro tree nurseries.”

The wider project is called ‘Coalfields to Wildwoods’, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.The wider project is called ‘Coalfields to Wildwoods’, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. (Image: The Killie Community) Co-Founder and CEO of Eadha Enterprises, Peter Livingstone, added: “This week we were planting at the Glenmuir Water on Dumfries Estate land. 

"We planted around 300 native trees including Aspen and Willows grown through the project as well as Juniper, Oak, Hazel, Holly Bird Cherry. 

"It was great to meet the Killie Community volunteers and get their help. They seemed to enjoy being out in the peaceful glen helping nature.

"We have plenty more planting scheduled for next winter/spring including sites at Patna, Glenmuir Water, and Dalmellington.”