A GIRLS football team that struggled without sponsors through lockdown has had the community rally round them.

Kilbirnie Community Football Club Star Girls were left with just £40 in there bank account because they felt like they couldn’t ask local businesses to help due to the pressures on the pandemic.

But when Demi Lammie found out what dire straits her daughter’s team was in, she set to work raising funds.

She said: “My mum, Kelly, and I got Tesco involved. They were happy to help out. I went around local businesses and asked for donations for a raffle.

“Then I put it up on Facebook and there was quite a lot of people who wanted to donate.

“The community really rallied round. It was amazing the amount it raised in the space of two weeks.”

The fundraising efforts achieved a total of £1,160 and, not only that, but WI&A Gilbert’s and The Lunchbox sponsored the team and bought them new football strips.

Demi said that lockdown had been tough, with the girls not able to take part in their weekly training, but the first week back saw smiles on all of their faces.

The team issued a ‘huge thanks’ to all those who donated and helped support them including the Cut’N’Dry, Stacy’s Unique Flowers, Melts at 12, Reid’s Dairy and The Pink Ladies.

They also highlighted the manager and staff at Tesco Kilbirnie, who let them sell raffles tickets in the store.

Demi said: “We would like to raise a huge thank you to our local Tesco. Without Nikki, this couldn’t have been done without her.”

She said the club has been great for her six-year-old daughter, Leah Kerr.

She said thanks to the team, coached by Thomas Burns, Leah is able to keep fit and make friends.

Demi told the Herald: “We had her at dancing. One week she came out and said it wasn’t for her and she wanted to play football.

“The girls that have joined have been shy, but within a week or two they’ve come out of their shells and they’ve made friends.”

The girls team is in association with Kilbirnie Community Football Club.

To find out more visit facebook.com/KcfcStar.