NURSERY kids in Galashiels are to benefit from an improved garden area thanks to a generous donation from a local supermarket.

The Asda Community Foundation has awarded Burgh Primary Parent Teacher Council with £400 towards creating a ‘Care and Share’ garden in the nursery which will encourage members of the community to become involved in upgrading the existing area by planting flowers and crops with the children.

These will be shared with local people free of charge.

The donation has already inspired parents to volunteer to clean up an older part of the garden in preparation for the work over the next few months which will be recorded in a special picture book by nursery staff.

This is the latest investment in the Borders by Asda, who in 2021 appointed Nola Milne as their local Community Champion for the region.

In addition to donating thousands of pounds to good causes Nola has also been involved in organising school trips to the store to help children understand more about retail, leading litter pick ups along the Gala Water and hosting fundraising for charities such as Blood Bikes.

The Asda Foundation is more than 30 years old and it’s mission is to transform communities and improve lives across the UK, especially in areas like Galashiels where the company has a store and is a significant local employer.

The Foundation supports grassroots groups working in partnership to improve their areas. Every year it donates tens of thousands of pounds to good causes and through its ‘Community Champion’ programme a dedicated member of staff, like Nola, is appointed to deliver and raise awareness of this work.

Asda Galashiels Community Champion Nola Milne said: “I’m delighted to come along today to present this cheque to the Burgh on behalf of the Foundation. The best part of this job is being able to visit projects we are supporting and find out how we can build stronger relationships with our community.

"It was lovely to see all the children’s smiling faces and hear all about their plans for the garden. I look forward to coming back to see it all once it’s finished.”

Lisa Jeffrey from the Burgh Parent Teacher Council said: ‘Nursery is such a big part of our children lives and helps shape the person they are becoming and we want to make sure we support our excellent staff by helping them provide a fun space to learn and play.

"This donation from the Asda Foundation is a brilliant encouragement to us as we start to create the garden and we are very grateful to Nola for helping us with the process and the work she and her colleagues are putting into improving the environment in our town.’