GALA'S rugby stars have side-stepped their end-of-season knees up to help a local brain injury charity.

And the sympathetic second-rows, kind-hearted hookers, and benevolent backs have also dug out their trowels to spruce up the gardens of an old-folks housing complex.

The community work started last month with around a dozen of the first team regulars volunteering for coaching stints with the club's Mini Maroons.

Following Saturday's victory over Hawick they also donated the takings from their match-day players' raffle, which normally goes towards an end of season celebration, towards Momentum.

And five of players pulled on their overalls to tackle the weeds at Abbotsford Court after resident and club champion Betty Scott made a request for help.

Gala captain Graham Speirs told us: "The club is a focal point in the community and we thought we should give something back to the many people who come to watch and support us.

"We all enjoy helping with the Mini Maroons coaching and we have continued to look for other community initiatives where we can help.

"A few of the members at Gala live in Abbotsford Court and we offered to give them some help with the garden. None of us are much good at gardening but we helped with tidying up and sorting out planters."

As well as the club captain, Alan Emond, Marc Playfair, Iain Ross and Stevie Cairns all helped out at Abbotsford Court.

Momentum provides support across the Borders for people who have suffered a brain injury.

And the £160 which was collected at Saturday's raffle was handed over to the Galashiels-based charity at the start of this week.

Graham added: "Momentum are currently looking for volunteers to help with their services and we wanted to help in a small way by donating our raffle money.

"Our plan is to continue helping in the community for the rest of the season as well as supporting charities."

Amongst the planned projects for future weeks is a fundraiser for Cash for Kids.

Gala president Graham Low said: "I am delighted that the boys are keen to get involved in the community and give up their time to help good causes.

"The boys have been helping with the Mini Maroons and five of them helped out Abbotsford Court,by cleaning up and planting the winter plants.

"This is highly commendable and something that would normally go unnoticed."