PUPILS from Auchenharvie Academy in Stevenston designed and hand-crafted a number of wooden posts and coloured waymarkers for the new garden walks at Ayrshire Hospice.

The waymarkers were presented to the hospice physiotherapy team, who have been working with the school in support of a brand new fitness initiative for patients, families and visitors.

The posts have been designed to mark out three new walks that have been created in the hospice gardens.

Seven pupils from S3-S6, accompanied by their technical teacher, Norrie Brown, and head teacher, Calum Johnston, visited the hospice to hand over the waymarkers.

The students were also given a tour of the garden walks and tried out some of the activities that will be available en route.

Calum Johnston, head teacher at Auchenharvie Academy, said: “When we heard that the hospice were working towards creating garden walks, we immediately thought it was a great opportunity for us to help out and contribute to the local Ayrshire community.

“Our pupils worked very hard in our Technical Department using a special laser cutter to make the waymarkers, and their efforts will also count towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award.

“The garden walks project not only helped them to make a difference but also gave them some valuable practical experience they can use in the future.”

The garden walks have been designed to encourage hospice patients and their families to stay fit and improve their wellbeing by following newly marked out walking routes, perform gentle exercises and circuits suited to their individual needs as well as enjoy fun activities such as putting or basketball.

A guided garden meditation is also available designed to help release stress and promote a state of peace and relaxation.

Claire Miller, Ayrshire Hospice Physiotherapist, said: “We are very excited to launch this initiative which will allow our patients and their families to have fun together in our hospice gardens whilst enjoying the benefits of exercise.

“We are indebted to the pupils from Auchenharvie Academy for the wonderful help, skills and support they have offered throughout this project, all of which will make a big difference to our patients and their visitors.”

The garden walks have been designed to encourage hospice patients and their families to maintain fitness and improve wellbeing by following the newly marked out walking routes.

“Each route is a different length and is distinguished by one of three coloured symbols made by the pupils, namely Olympic, Wimbledon and The Open.”