A GARDENING project has been given a helping hand to get off the ground later this year with a $500 cheque from the Beechworth Lions Club.

Black Barn Farm’s Jade Miles from Stanley who is behind the venture, said with Lions Club aid and working with Indigo Youth Services, the three groups were excited to help set up a garden growing opportunity for local young people.

Known as the ‘Gorilla Youth Gardening project’, Ms Miles said the community vegetable garden and a heritage orchard to be located at Beechworth’s old railway station would encourage two-year-old youngsters to 18 year-olds to dig in.