YOUNG people in and around Alloa are set to benefit from an opportunity to access a quality instrument.

The ever-growing Connect Alloa youth group was the very first recipient of a stunning instrument, donated as part of the Whole Lotta Guitars campaign by Glasgow-based social enterprise 12 Guitars.

Dave Crozier, of the youth group, recently met up with 12 Guitars co-founder Gerry Thorogood to receive a repaired and upcycled Epiphone Les Paul electric guitar.

Young people at the group will, once they are able to meet face-to-face safely again, be granted access to the instrument, with some free tuition opportunities being planned.

It is hoped they will benefit by learning something new and increasing their confidence.

Dave said: “12 Guitars wasn't a project I knew much about until recently, but even speaking on the phone, I could see that they had a very similar ethos to Connect Alloa which was fantastic.

“They were so accommodating with our needs and picked a guitar especially for us and we couldn't be more thrilled.

“I can definitely see a continued partnership in the future, there is so much potential by simply offering more creativity in our community."

For Gerry, who co-founded 12 Guitars more than a year ago with the aim of getting instruments into the hands of young people who otherwise may not get the chance, the similarities between the two organisations were also evident.

He told the Advertiser: “I was taken by Dave's enthusiasm for making something happen and making an imaginative, creative environment for young people – and how guitaring can be a part of that.

“What was very obvious to us was that Dave understood the role a guitar can play.

“Playing the guitar, it teaches some learning skills; you need to apply yourself, at times you need good teamwork, you need to be able to communicate with each other and you need to be able to listen.

“He also recognised that it can build self-esteem and confidence for a young person who might not be doing too well in some other parts of their life.

“That for me was really important; the guitar is just the facilitator of getting to a better place.”

The Whole Lotta Guitars campaign started this summer and was quickly shared in the Wee County by Clackmannanshire Council.

It meant Connect Alloa is the very first group to benefit from the initiative after making contact with 12 Guitars.

How the guitar, a medium-high range instrument on the market, was restored could be a story on its own.

However, thanks go to experienced luthier Ken Morton at the social enterprise for repairing the instrument's cracked headstock.

Gerry, whose social enterprise converted a double decker bus to serve as an office and studio in Glasgow, added: “Guitars like that, where you or I'd say: 'Oh dear that's it, it's a disaster!' - Ken looks upon that as a challenge.”

Thanks also go to Rotosound Music Strings for supporting the initiative.