A CHARITY has been working tirelessly to restore Fullarton Woods in Troon to its former glory.

Friends of Fullarton was started just a few years ago when Fiona Kennedy, chairperson of the charity, noticed that the woods were looking neglected and decided to take action.

She began by setting up a litter pick with some like-minded people and the group’s activities snowballed from there.

The charity also sees itself as a pressure group of sorts, taking issues that need highlighted to South Ayrshire Council. The main project they have been working on with the council in recent times has been draining the woods.

“A big chunk of the woodlands is drowning,” said Kennedy.

“At the beginning of this year and just two weeks ago, we had equipment to drain the burn that runs all the way down through the woods.

“It hadn’t been done for probably five years, so there was a lot of dead trees in it.

“That involved a lot of money, a lot of hard work and a lot of fundraising,” she added.

The group has twice been awarded £3000 by South Ayrshire Council through their “Locality Decides” scheme, which allows local charities to pitch for funding. They also participate in bag packing to raise funds, have been awarded cheques by the local Co-op store and the Troon branch of Greggs has also donated.

“I just go around everywhere asking for money,” laughed Kennedy. “This year coming we’ve got a lot of plans to have more community activities on. We do a fundraising barbecue, and we’ll have some nature walks and bird watches.

“Various things that the public can come along and join in for free, and if they want to donate, they can. If they can’t afford to, that’s fine.”

Today Friends of Fullarton will be holding a wreath-making community event to raise awareness of the work they do, using materials from the woodland. Although this is not a fundraising event, the groups sees this as a great networking opportunity.

“Every time you hold one of these, somebody else comes out the woodwork with contacts,” Kennedy added, pun not intended.

“And it’s just nice to attract people to the woods from all different backgrounds.”

The charity works alongside the Scottish Wildlife Trust and members of the public, including the local scout group.

This allows them to effectively tackle other issues, such as “rhododendron bashing” – rhododendron being a small flower which can take over woodland areas and deprive other plants from getting necessary sunlight – and creating new paths through the woodlands.