Barra & Vatersay Junior Sports Club has launched a crowdfunder to transport Stornoway’s redundant 3G astroturf to Castlebay.

The JustGiving appeal plans to raise £5,000 to help cover transport costs and materials to create an all-weather community pitch on spare ground in Castlebay.

Some work has already taken place after the junior sports club were approached by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar two weeks ago and given first refusal of the astroturf being replaced in Stornoway for free.

Writing on their online appeal, the junior sports club says: “There is enough astro to line the old ballcourt beside the pitch and to create a community astro pitch for everyone to use.

“The junior sports committee agreed to this free donation of Astro and had a very tight timeline to get it delivered to Barra as it had to be off the premises in Stornoway within the week. As a club, this is a great opportunity to create a community astro court and will likely be the only improvements in sports facilities this island is likely to see for some time.”

Though the astroturf is free, the junior sports clubs must find £5000 to cover transport and materials to set up the new pitch surface.