RONNIE Collins is back to carving out a bright future for West Fife's woodlands after the workshop in his garage burnt down last year.

A real champion of the great outdoors, he was left astounded after a crowdfunder page raised £4,360 to help him rebuild and replace his tools.

Ronnie, of Newmills, and a team of West Fife Woodlands volunteers, tidy up paths, take part in snowdrop walks, put up bird boxes, instal benches, plant trees, make steps, pick up litter and dig drainage ditches, anything to make the nature on our doorsteps more attractive and accessible to all.

And many supporters of their efforts saw the fundraiser as a way to give back and say thank-you for all the good work they do.

Ronnie told the Press: "The response from the public was phenomenal and for people to give money out of their own pocket was really unexpected.

"Personally I would have said no, my pride would never have let me ask for help for others.

"The fundraising page was something my wife and daughter started, unbeknown to me, and it was good of them but left to me I would never have done it!"

His workshop, which was in the back garden of his Newmills home, and extensive collection of tools were destroyed in the fire last September as well as personal items and equipment he had collected over the years.

Following the blaze, his daughter, Charlotte, set up a crowdfunder appeal to help raise money to replace some of what had been lost.

Posting on social media, she had said: "As everyone knows, Ronnie is passionate in his community groups and works tirelessly to assist in any group that asks for his assistance from local primary schools to local woodland walking groups and so on.

"We want him to be able to continue his work within the community and although insurance will cover some of the losses, it will take time and unfortunately it will never replace the monetary and sentimental value of a lifetime's collecting, some items are no longer made."

In just 28 days, 178 supporters helped raise £4,360.

Ronnie said: "The insurance paid out so I've got a new garage and it's better than it was before.

"I wasn't able to replace personal stuff, like fishing rods and there was a new lawnmower I'd only used twice, but I've replaced everything I needed to replace.

"But the amount of tools, saws and equipment people donated too was unbelievable.

"When it burnt down I was in the middle of making benches so two weeks after I was able to get the wood and replace them, even though I didn't have a place to work."

Back in 2020, Charlotte nominated her dad for a Pride of Britain Award, in the lifetime achievement category, for his dedication to caring for and improving the West Fife woodlands.

Their next big project is to connect the path network from Saline to Oakley and Saline to Bogside.