Innovative mums turn redundancy into success story with launch of news Ayrshire business

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A pair of Ayrshire mums made redundant during the pandemic have carved out a new career by helping curious youngsters appreciate the great outdoors.

Kathryn McNally, 40, and Katie Walker, 42, both from Ayr, were let go from their jobs during lockdown and teamed up to create UnderSky, offering community play events, outdoor school lessons and eco-friendly play tins.

UnderSky’s aim is to get kids, aged 4-9, and their families enjoying local green spaces and the wildlife around them.Mum-of-one Katie, who worked as a countryside ranger for the National Trust for Scotland at Culzean for over 15 years, said: “We love to spend time exploring and playing outdoors with our kids and so lockdown and unemployment became the perfect storm for our creative ideas to emerge.“Due to restrictions on indoor socialising during the Covid-19 pandemic, spending time outdoors became a necessity and, at first, our aim was simply to help families to not only enjoy but gain from this enforced time spent outdoors.”The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories while you can customise your page with the sections that matter to you.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now on iOS and Android.Katie and Kathryn came up with the idea to launch themed play tins, which are packed with hours of fun ideas for outdoor play including challenges, games, fun facts, and stickers.Mum-of-two Kathryn, a former textile and graphic designer, said: “Whatever the theme we aim to ensure our tins are suitable for play in any green space and in all